Kaino fit but Read, Cruden miss Samoa Test
Kaino has been out of action since April due to a minor knee surgery and the Samoa Test will be vital for him ahead of the opening Lions test eight days later.
Despite missing the Samoa test Hansen is full of confidence that the All Blacks duo Read and Cruden will be fit to face the British and Irish Lions.
No cover has been called for Cuden, who picked up a knee injury during Friday's Super Rugby match between Chiefs and Hurricanes.
While Read had previously ruled himself out of the Samoa match as he recovers from a broken thumb.
Hooker Dane Coles – who continues to deal with concussion symptoms -would not be considered, Hansen said, as the All Blacks assembled in Auckland before Friday's match against Samoa.
Ryan Crotty has been showing positive signs after he sustained a rib cartilage damage he sustained playing for the Crusaders against the Highlanders a week ago.
"[Coles] is not conditioned enough to be playing in this first test, but he remains a day-by-day prospect," coach Steve Hansen told stuff.co.nz
"[While Crotty] is looking pretty good. We'll just take our time with him. He's down to train tomorrow and the next day, and from there we'll get a better gauge.
"Those sort of injuries you need to be back on the track to really understand if he's good enough to go," Hansen added.
Source: Stuff.co.za & Agence France-Presse
