All Blacks coach Steve Hansen looks likely to face a severe test of his squad's depth for the first test against France this week after a string of injuries over the last few days further diminished his already depleted stocks.

Hansen has called in locks Luke Romano and Tom Franklin and flanker Matt Todd into the squad as cover.

The All Blacks were always going to be without captain Kieran Read, who is still recovering from back surgery, but the number eight has been joined on the casualty list by a handful of other first‑choice players.

The latest was Brodie Retallick, who suffered an injury playing for the Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby on Saturday.

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper said the injury was serious and Retallick was unlikely to face the French in Auckland on Saturday.

The All Blacks meet France at 7.35pm Saturday.

Source:Reuters

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