Headaches for All Blacks hooker Dane Coles could also create headaches for the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen as the injury toll among his veteran forwards continue to mount.
Injured All Blacks Dane Coles, Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino. Photo: PhotoSport
Coles is facing a battle to be match-fit for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand after it was revealed he's suffering from concussion symptoms.
Coles hasn't played for the Hurricanes since mid-March when he limped off against the Highlanders with a knee injury.
He then suffered a calf injury at training but Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd says he also began experiencing headaches when exercising. It's not known how he gained concussion nor how long he will be off the field.
With All Blacks skipper Kieran Read suffering a broken thumb playing for the Crusaders at the weekend and All Black loose forward Jerome Kaino having a knee injury, experience is fast disappearing from All Black forward pack.
Earlier this week All Blacks selector Grant Fox indicated they'd be prepared to select Read and Kaino without any match play between now and the first Lions test but that's highly unlikely to be the case when comes to Coles concussion issues.
Fox said they have already gone through and identified back up potential in all positions if first and second choice players aren't available.
-RNZ
