Owen Franks ruled out for a month with injury

Crusaders and All Blacks prop Owen Franks will remain on the sidelines for another month due to ongoing issues with his shoulder.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined for the Crusaders since their win over the Brumbies at the start of this month, with Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan confirming the best-case scenario would result in him returning against the Chiefs in Fiji on June 1. 

Elsewhere, the Crusaders confirmed they will rest fellow All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty for Friday's clash with the Sharks in Christchurch as part of the mandatory rest programme players have in the build-up to the World Cup.