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All Black pair all but ruled out of French series
By Online Editors
Kieran Read likely won't feature when the All Blacks take on the French in their first test series of the year in June.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen today said that both Read and hooker Dane Coles would be eased back into the fold.
Read has not appeared on the field since December of last year thanks to back surgery, while Coles has been out all year after suffering a ruptured ACL.
"I don't think he'll [Read] be back until after the French series but that's not a fait accompli at this point," Hansen told Radio Sport.
"We'll just take our time and as I said about a month ago, he knows his body and we can't afford to come back too early and damage it again and miss another six months and maybe even miss the World Cup - we'll just take it one day at a time and one week at a time."
Hansen added that Coles would be likely be unavailable until June, and revealed he is also battling through knee problems.
"Dane is having a few problems with his knee too - he can't seem to straighten it," Hansen said.
"He's gone back to the surgeon and the surgeon has put him back in a brace at night to try to help him get full extension."
The Crusaders' Codie Taylor and Chiefs' Nathan Harris will likely cover the No. 2 jersey for the French series, while Akira Ioane's form could see him claim Read's spot at Number Eight.
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It was like watching men play schoolboys
Go to commentsI'd rate the brothers Hendricks a point or two lower. Jaden has really not delivered on his early promise and Jordan's kicking at posts was quite erratic. Amongst other things.
I was really surprised that DuhDuh was replaced and not Jordan. DuhDuh had a great game and just underlined his class in a backline that was not firing on all cylinders.
Damian Willemse was missed. Hopefully he'll be back to full fitness and have an injury free 2025 (and '26 and '27 and so on until he decides to retire to spend time with his grandchildren).
RG was great. What an athlete.
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All things considered, this was another frustrating Bok performance. Even though it was a comfortable win, it wasn't a commanding win. This Welsh team should've been put away by a far larger margin.
But I have faith in Dr Rassie. He knows more than I do. Bring on 2027 😁
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