All Black in race against time

The seasoned hooker appears unable to shake off his concussion issues.

Coles has not played since suffering a head knock in March, and is still on the doubtful list for the Test against the tourists.

Coles need to recover in time to play for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs in a Super Rugby match next Friday.

The All Blacks meet the B&I Lions ion the first of three Tests a fortnight later.

"I think it would be unlikely he's going to get through enough [work] before next week for him to come into contention for selection," Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd told reporters of Coles' chances of facing the Chiefs.

"I might be surprised when I get home [from Australia where the Hurricanes will face the Western Force in Perth on Saturday], but the indications are at this stage that probably not."

No.8 Kieran Read hopes to be ready in time for the Lions series after nursing a broken thumb, but will still have to prove his fitness closer to the Tests.

Source: NZ Newswire