Highlanders blindside flanker Shannon Frizell has been ruled out of the test against the Wallabies in Melbourne next week.
Frizell suffered an injury to his ribs during the 53-3 win over the Pumas in Hamilton.
It is rotten luck for the physical loose forward, who has re-established himself as the leading blindside flanker in the country after a season that has already been disrupted by a long injury break.
Frizell joins midfield back Jack Goodhue (knee) and lock Patrick Tuipulotu (neck) on the list of injured players who are not available for selection next week.
All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan announced a squad of 33 players for the Melbourne test.
The biggest news is the absence of star loose forward Ardie Savea, who is staying at home to prepare for the birth of his second child.
Savea, who is expected to return for the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies at Eden Park on September 24, will be sorely missed, but it will mean an opportunity for Hoskins Sotutu or Akira Ioane to prove they can be a capable option at the back of the scrum.
Otago lock Josh Dickson, who has been furiously training with the All Blacks as injury cover but has not yet made a match-day squad, has been released.
That is understandable, given the return of Brodie Retallick to the black jersey, and good news for Otago, which could have been lean in the second row for its game against Wellington this Sunday.
All Blacks props Aidan Ross and Angus Ta’avao, and Auckland star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, will also remain in New Zealand to play for their provinces in round six of the NPC.
There will be immense interest in whether the All Blacks can follow one good performance with another in Melbourne.
A return to the awful form of much of 2022 will be difficult to digest; on the flip side, another convincing win will help keep the wolves from the door.
"This next test is a big challenge for where the All Blacks are really at, and where we’re at as a team," forwards coach Jason Ryan said after the Hamilton test.
"We’ve done a lot of work ... but now we’ve got to back that up with another performance against Australia.
"The boys should be confident after that performance but we need to keep them grounded."
Ryan has plenty of respect for the Wallabies, who are hurting after a poor 24-8 loss to the Springboks in Sydney.
"I love what their forwards are doing. They’re really clear on what they’re trying to achieve. The Aussies play with speed, they can get around you, they’ve got power, so it’ll be a heck of a test match."
