Hooker Keven Mealamu is in doubt for the All Blacks next Tri-Nations match against Australia after sufering a chest injury in the loss to South Africa in Durban at the weekend.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen says Mealamu will have a scan on the injury when the side gets back but doubts he'll be right for the Wallabies game in Sydney in just under three weeks time.
That match shapes as a must-win game for the All Blacks after they successive losses in South Africa.
The All Blacks opened their Tri-Nations campaign last month with a narrow win over Australia at home but a third successive defeat would all but end their hopes of retaining the title.