All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden will miss the last two Rugby Championship Tests, as New Zealand deal with a significant injury toll.
Cruden's groin injury has ruled him out of a 32-man squad which will be announced on Monday to play Tests away to Argentina on October 1 and South Africa in Durban a week later.
Cruden joins flanker Sam Cane (hamstring) in missing the trip, with both a chance to be fit for the Test against Australia in Auckland on October 22.
A third Chiefs player, utility back Damian McKenzie, was concussed a week ago in New Zealand's domestic NPC rugby competition and is only part way through protocol testing. He must pass a contact test on Wednesday to be cleared for the flight to Buenos Aires two days later.
Veteran flanker Jerome Kaino sustained the only notable injury in the 41-14 win over South Africa on Saturday.
He will be in a sling until midweek before damage to his shoulder is diagnosed, with his tour place in doubt. It is a similar status for centre George Moala (knee).
Winger Waisake Naholo, who has been out for a month with hamstring problems, should fly but could be unavailable for the Pumas Test.
Assistant coach Ian Foster confirmed Matt Todd would remain in the squad after being called in as backup to flanker Ardie Savea following Cane's injury.
