Uncapped Crusaders forward Dominic Bird is the latest lock to be ruled out of All Blacks contention after suffering a chest injury.

Bird ruptured a pectoralis tendon in the second half of the Crusaders’ 23-22 Super Rugby win over the NSW Waratahs in Christchurch on Friday.

The 22-year-old will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the Super Rugby season.

It is a cruel blow for the towering Bird, who was almost certain to be included in the All Blacks squad named on Sunday to contest three home Tests against France this month.

The retirement of lock stalwart Ali Williams and a finger injury suffered by Sam Whitelock left Bird likely to be backup to Luke Romano and Brodie Retallick for the series.

It would have been a remarkable rise for a player with just one provincial season for Canterbury under his belt and only three starts in his debut Super Rugby campaign for a team who boast Whitelock and Romano as their starting locks.

Uncapped Hurricanes forward Jeremy Thrush is likely to be the third lock named on Sunday after not even earning a place in coach Steve Hansen’s initial wider training group of 38 named last month.

Hansen may now consider pulling in a fourth lock from outside that group to face the French.

Meanwhile, Crusaders No.8 and captain Kieran Read was passed fit by medical staff on Saturday.

Read left the game at Christchurch at halftime after suffering a head knock but the injury is described as “minor” for the man who is set to be named All Blacks captain on Sunday.

Another injured Crusaders forward was veteran hooker Corey Flynn, who strained a hamstring.