British and Irish Lions

The 29-year-old, who has 36 Test caps for the All Blacks, has undergone surgery on a broken and dislocated finger suffered in the Crusaders game against the Bulls in Pretoria on April 9.

Maxwell's absence would leave All Blacks coach Graham Henry struggling to find an experienced partner for Chris Jack in the second row with Keith Robinson injured and Ali Williams still suspended.

Henry told the New Zealand Herald: "I know Norm is very concerned about his body and how it handles the load.

"But that final decision has not been made whether he will play international rugby or not."

Maxwell only returned to New Zealand rugby during last year's National Provincial Championship competition after taking a year out to travel and allow his body to recuperate from the rigours of almost 10 years of first-class rugby.

The second rower then toured Europe with the All Blacks at the end of 2004 which resulted in a delayed start for him with the Crusaders in the Super 12.

Three former British & Irish Lions will line-up against an England XV at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday as the Barbarians warm-up for their showdown with the 2013 tourists in Hong Kong next week.

Radike Samo, one of only two players still playing top level rugby in Australia who placed against the 2001 British & Irish Lions, will return to top flight action with Queensland Reds against the Stormers in Cape Town on Sunday.

British & Irish Lions hookers Dylan Hartley and Tom Youngs will fight out their own private duel in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday and then become team mates for the next six weeks a day later.