WELLINGTON (Reuters) - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has moved to ease concerns over the depth of his playing stocks after Liam Squire became the third loose forward to be sidelined by injury before the British and Irish Lions tour next month. "You always have concerns but at the same time you can't control that," Hansen told Fairfax Media on Saturday. Hansen, however, said that players with test experience in Elliot Dixon and Steven Luatua were still in contention for loose forward squad spots, as was the uncapped Brad Shields. Both Kaino and Read could face the Lions for their Super Rugby sides - the Auckland Blues and Canterbury Crusaders, respectively. The Blues face the Lions on June 7, while the Crusaders face the tourists in Christchurch on June 10.

Source: The Star May 06, 2017 03:22 UTC