More injury woes for Kahui

Chiefs and All Black centre Richard Kahui has, once again, been struck down with a shoulder injury that could send him off to Japan early.

The abrasive midfielder has been one of the stand-out players for the Chiefs since he returned for a long lay-off this season and has played four games for the Hamilton side before he left the field with a hamstring injury against the Waratahs.

Kahui sustained the shoulder injury during training on Tuesday and looks likely to be side-lined further.

He was left out of the Chiefs side that beat the Sharks last weekend and was hoping to return against the Melbourne Rebels this weekend.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie told AAP: "[It's] not very good … the medics are referring him to have another scan, he's got pain in his shoulder, the one that was operated on."

Kahui is no stranger to the operating table having had four shoulder reconstructions in the past six years, including one last season that prevented him being fit for the start of this season.

All Black coach Steve Hansen has made it public knowledge that he would love the Waikato-born All Black to be involved in the June series against France but with the recurrence of injuries as well as his contract in Japan it is going to be difficult for the coach to attain his services.