Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty should be available to replace Ma'a Nonu in the 12 jersey for the All Blacks against Argentina.
Crotty was outstanding in the first half of New Zealand's 51-20 win over Australia in Round Two, but was forced off at the interval with a fracture cheekbone.
Steve Hansen may decide to go with Malakai Fekitoa or Ben Smith in midfield in La Plata, but Crotty hopes to be in contention.
''I had X-rays the other day and hopefully, if all goes well, I should be fine to play next week,'' Crotty told Stuff.
''I have never been to Argentina, it would be cool to go. But I just have to focus on getting myself right.''
Looking back on the incident at Eden Park that kept him out of New Zealand's last two Tests, Crotty admitted his disappointment.
'It was extremely disappointing. You start to get a real taste of international footy and then to miss out - you just have to use an injury like that to freshen up and re-condition," added Crotty.
''It happened when Matt Toomua and I went face-on-face and I kind of knew something was wrong but I wasn't going to come off 19 minutes into my first start in a test.
''When I got in at halftime the doctor had a feel around and he said 'no, you won't be going back out there'.''
