All Blacks first-five‑eighth Aaron Cruden will miss the last two Rugby Championship Tests, as New Zealand deal with a significant injury toll.

Cruden's groin injury has ruled him out of the 32‑man squad.

He joins flanker Sam Cane who suffered a hamstring is missing the trip, however both have a chance to be fit for the Test against Australia in Auckland on October 22nd.

Damian McKenzie has been included as the third playmaker, behind Beauden Barrett and Lima Sopoaga.

Meanwhile, winger Waisake Naholo, who has been out for a month with hamstring problems, should fly with the team but could be unavailable for the Pumas Test.

The Springboks will play the Wallabies at 3.05am next Sunday while the All Blacks will play Argentina at 10.10am.

Source: nzherald.com