The Chiefs and All Blacks centre Richard Kahui will miss next week's season opening test against Fiji with a hamstring injury that might keep him out of rugby for up to a month.
Kahui pulled up during a training session on Monday and will be sidelined for three to four weeks and is aiming to return to action during the home leg of the Tri-Nations.
The All Blacks host Fiji in Dunedin next Friday with Tri-Nations matches at home to South Africa the following Saturday and Australia the week after that before they visit the Springboks in Port Elizabeth and the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Hosea Gear will also miss the Fiji test even though the winger is recovering well from a hamstring strain and is likely to be available for the South African test
Israel Dagg (thigh muscle), fellow outside back Isaia Toeava (hip) and prop Tony Woodcock (foot) are expected to be available for the away leg of the Tri-Nations Series.
