Don't expect to see any sign of Sam Cane when the Chiefs take on the Crusaders on Saturday.
The loose forward is still nursing an abdominal tear, and is now also in serious doubt for the All Blacks opening test against France on June 9.
He hasn't featured for the Chiefs since their match against the Reds on April 21.
Failure to make a return to the pitch this weekend would leave Cane severely underdone for the Eden Park fixture the following week, with not a minute of gametime since that round-10 win in Brisbane.
The 26-year-old went through some gym work at the second of the All Black mini-camps on Monday, but his Chiefs head coach had one telling word to offer when quizzed on his chances of taking on the Crusaders.
"Unlikely," Cooper offered media at Monday's practice session.
It will be Mitchell Karpik who steps up to claim the No.7 against the surging southerners, after turning some heads in his first start of the season against the Waratahs on Saturday.
Cooper said the side could take plenty from their impressive 31-27 win over the Sydneysiders, but they'd need to lift to another level against the NZ conference-leading Crusaders.
"This team has had a lot of disruptions, injuries, but they've had a lot of mana with the way they've played.
"Hopefully that's enough respect for the crowd to come and support us. And when you get home support there's nothing better to lift the bar again. We think we can have a real go at the Crusaders."
If Cane were unable to play against France, it would push one of either Ardie Savea, Matt Todd, or Jordan Taufua into the No. 7 jersey.
Beauden Barrett would likely step in to take up the vice-captaincy.
Newshub.
