All Blacks captain Kieran Read could be in doubt for the British and Irish Lions tour after breaking his thumb in the Crusaders 48-21 win over South African side the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
The Crusaders are unbeaten in their nine games so far this season.
Kieran Read Photo: Photosport
Reid was forced from the field shortly before halftime, in what was only this third game of the season, having started the super rugby campaign late after off-season wrist surgery.
Reid will have surgery in South Africa.
His injury would be concerning for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen with the first test against the Lions in Auckland just eight weeks away.
Earlier this week All Blacks loose forward Jerome Kaino revealed he needed knee surgery which could also see him miss the Lions series.
Wing George Bridge scored a hat-trick of tries for the second week running as the Crusaders kept up their 100 percent winning record with their ninth victory of the season.
Fullback David Havili scored twice while first five Richie Mo'unga and replacement halfback Mitchell Drummond also ran in tries, to help the Crusaders stay at the top of the competition overall.
In other matches, the New South Wales Waratahs edged out the Queensland Reds 29-26 in Brisbane while in Perth the South African side the Lions beat the Western Force 24-15.
