All Blacks hooker Dane Coles' concussion symptoms are taking time to clear, and his hopes of making the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions are fading rapidly.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd had earlier underlined his team's June 9 clash with the Chiefs in Wellington as the target for the 49-Test hooker's return.
Coles hasn't played since being injured in the March 18 Super Rugby match against the Highlanders.
He didn't train for two weeks and, on his return to running, suffered a calf tear as well as reporting headaches.
Speaking from Perth, ahead of the Hurricanes' match on Saturday against the Force, Boyd admitted Coles was unlikely to be fit for the Chiefs game.
"I haven't had any discussion with anybody at home around where Dane is this week," Boyd said.
"I know he made some progress last week, but he'll be a doubtful starter for us against the Chiefs.
"I think it would be unlikely that he's going to get through enough before next week for him to come into contention for selection."
The All Blacks will play Samoa on June 16 in Auckland, with the first Lions Test eight days later.
