All Blacks ring in reinforcements
Three forwards have been added to an injury-hit All Blacks squad ahead of their Test series against France.
Locks Luke Romano and Tom Franklin and flanker Matt Todd have been called up by coach Steve Hansen, who faces uncertainty over the makeup of his forward pack for the first Test in Auckland on Saturday.
Lock is a particular concern, with captain Sam Whitelock having missed the last three weeks of rugby with concussion while Brodie Retallick suffered a pectoral injury during the Chiefs' loss to the Crusaders on Saturday.
The damage to world class forward Retallick is unclear.
Also under a cloud is Chiefs openside flanker Sam Cane, who has struggled to shake off an abdominal strain.
Named to start on the bench in Hamilton, Cane was a late withdrawal, along with Crusaders pair Jordan Taufua (calf) and Jack Goodhue (hamstring), also adding to Hansen's headaches.
From his original squad of 33, Hansen has already lost Sonny Bill Williams (knee) and Tim Perry (hamstring) for the entire series.
Compounding Williams' loss is ongoing concern over concussion issues for midfield back Ryan Crotty and Goodhue's niggles.
One piece of good news for Hansen came when a Sanzaar foul play committee dismissed a striking charge against Highlanders loose forward Liam Squire.
He is free to play the first Test after his collision with Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara on Friday was deemed accidental and not of significant force.
New Zealand take on France in the June Series, kicking off at Saturday June 9 in Auckland.
