Read and Cane out of first Test against England

New Zealand will be without Kieran Read for Saturday’s first Test against England.

The No.8 made his return last week after spending the last seven weeks out with a concussion but symptoms have creeped back in and Steve Hansen said he is not ready to risk him.

The All Blacks also confirmed openside Sam Cane will miss the entire series due to a broken bone in his knee.

As a result, Crusaders’ Matt Todd and Blues‘ Steven Luatua have been called in as injury cover.

“We’re not prepared to risk him playing and that’s our decision, not his, and we’ll progress that day by day,” said Hansen.

“He’s frustrated, as you would be, but we’re very lucky we’ve got capable people who can fill in his place.

“Jerome Kaino and Victor [Vito] have been performing very well and Liam [Messam] is an incumbent. We’ve got some good people to step up.”