The All Blacks are "assessing" their options ahead of tomorrow's Rugby Championship squad announcement after revealing captain Scott Barrett requires surgery.
In a brief statement, the All Blacks confirmed Barrett injured a finger during the San Diego Test against Fiji last weekend.
The injury "has required surgical treatment after his return to New Zealand".
No timeline was given for his recovery, although the team said it was now "being accessed".
It is just over 24 hours out from the All Blacks' Rugby Championship squad announcement, with coach Scott Robertson due to name a 36-strong squad for the tournament.
There aren't many surprises expected in the squad after Robertson used all 32 players he named in his first side during his July Tests against England and Fiji although question marks remain around injured halfbacks TJ Perenara and Cortez Ratima.
Perenara injured his knee in the first Test against England at the start of the month but was "progressing well" with recovery with an eye on the championship, while Ratima had his first All Blacks start cut short in San Diego after a head knock.
It's also expected Robertson will likely name Will Jordan and Sam Cane, who have been training with the squad in their returns from injuries.
The All Blacks squad is named at 3pm on Sunday.
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