The Crusaders' shocking start to the Super Rugby season has been compounded by the worry of an injury to Luke Romano.

The Crusaders started their 2013 Super Rugby season with five try 34-15 loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

In addition to the beating the Crusaders lost were forced to replace lock Luke Romano with Dominic Bird in the 16th minute of the match.

Romano is believed to have a serious rib injury which could rule him out going forward.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder says that he is fearful that the results from a scan will confirm time on the sidelines for Romano.

"Well I don't really know so I can't say too much but it would seem serious for him to come off and when we get back to Christchurch this afternoon Luke's going to go have a scan so we'll know then," Blackadder told the NZ Herald.