All Blacks lock Luke Romano and first five-eighths Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett have all been ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Wellington.
Scan results on Tuesday revealed bad news for the trio, most notably Romano who will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship after tearing a groin tendon early in last Saturday's 47-29 defeat of the Wallabies in Sydney.
He is not expected to be available until New Zealand's tour of Japan and Europe in November.
Cruden damaged a ligament in his right knee during the Sydney Test, where he was a standout performer. His time out of rugby could be anything from two to six weeks, with diagnosis to continue this week.
Barrett, who replaced Cruden in the 70th minute at Sydney, has a minor calf strain and should be available for New Zealand's third Test of the Rugby Championship, against Argentina in Hamilton on September 7.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said the loss of physical forward Romano for the remainder of the four-nation championship would be heavily felt.
"It's obviously hugely disappointing for Luke but he is a strong character and is already planning his rehab with our medical staff."
Hansen had prepared for the worst, calling in uncapped loose forwards Luke Whitelock and Brad Shields this week.
That was primarily as cover for Liam Messam, who is still sidelined by a hamstring strain, but also for blindside flanker/lock Steven Luatua, who will help fill the void left by Romano.
At first five-eighth, Hansen had already recalled former All Blacks playmaker Colin Slade and the uncapped Tom Taylor as cover for Cruden and Barrett.
They are fourth and fifth-choice options in the position, with Test great Dan Carter having been sidelined last week by a calf strain.
"It's an exciting time for the replacement players and it's also a challenge now for the rest of the team to make their entry into the side as seamless as possible," Hansen said.
