New Zealand’s Dane Coles cleared of concussion but won’t play British & Irish Lions

New Zealand hooker Dane Coles has resumed training and is almost clear of concussion symptoms but will not play against the British & Irish Lions, coach Steve Hansen said on Saturday.

Coles had been named in the All Blacks squad for the series despite battling a succession of injuries this season, including concussion that had kept him out of action since March.

“He is clear of most of his symptoms and he is back training,” Hansen said on allblacks.com. “But because he is not fit enough to play test rugby, or Super Rugby, we have put him back into what we call a pre-season training block.

“He will stay with us for the next three weeks then go back to his franchise and be back to play when he’s rugby ready and fit enough for the rigours of Super Rugby.”

The Wellington Hurricanes hooker was initially hurt when he limped off with a knee injury in his side’s 41-15 win against the Otago Highlanders in March.

Coles was then kept out of the team with a calf injury sustained in training before Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd confirmed in early May that he was also suffering from headaches and other concussion symptoms.