All Blacks concern ahead of British & Irish Lions series as skipper Kieran Read fractures thumb
Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino also facing a race against time to be fit for the test series after undergoing an operation on a meniscus tear in his knee
New Zealand suffered a major blow to their preparations for the upcoming British & Irish Lions series when captain Kieran Read fractured his thumb in Super Rugby action on Saturday and was forced to undergo surgery.
The number eight sustained the fracture to the base of his right thumb in Canterbury Crusaders’ 48-21 victory over South Africa’s Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday night and would be sidelined for around six weeks, the Super Rugby side said.
The 31-year-old is expected to lead the world champions in the highly-anticipated three-test series against the tourists, which begins with the first test in Auckland on June 24.
“[It is] extremely disappointing for Kieran and the All Blacks,” Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan said.
Watch: Cheetahs v Canterbury Crusaders highlights
“The guy has worked so hard off the field to get his hand right from the surgery he had during the offseason and has been world class since returning to the field.