Frank Halai's faint hopes of making the All Blacks' World Cup squad are over after the Blues winger ruptured knee ligaments in a club match.
The one-Test All Black, who is heading to English club Wasps at the end of the year, was not picked by the Blues for their 34-11 defeat by the Crusaders on Saturday.
He played club rugby instead and a team spokesman says he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a match for Pukekohe.
He was not the only All Black injured in club play, with Francis Saili also ruled out of contention to feature in the Blues' final Super Rugby match of the season after being concussed at the weekend.
The two-Test All Black is off to Irish club Munster later this year.
Prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi was concussed in the loss to the Crusaders leaving the Blues' injury toll standing at 16 with three more on duty with the New Zealand under-20 side in Italy.
The match against the Highlanders at Eden Park on Friday will be Keven Mealamu's 175th, and final, Super Rugby appearance.
The Blues have just three wins this season.
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