The All Blacks will be without Beauden Barrett, when they square off against Argentina in their first Rugby Championship test of 2022 on home soil this weekend.
Barrett left Tuesday's training early to return to the team hotel, prompting fears he'd suffered another head injury, after he was concussed in November's end of year test against Ireland in Dublin.
The two-time World Rugby player of the year has since been diagnosed with a neck injury but has shown no signs of concussion.
"He took a knock in the neck in a cleanout drill and it's quite stiff," said coach Ian Foster. "It's not too bad though.
"No HIA [Head Injury Assessment] issues but enough there to stop him being free… so we made an early call."
Foster doesn't expect the injury to keep him off the field long-term and hopes to have him available for the rematch with the Pumas at Hamilton on September 3.
"It's day-by-day, I think," said Foster. I haven't heard anything to say that he's not going to be available next week but we'll see what unfolds.
"The data we got from the medicos is it's going to take a wee while to free up."
The 31-year-old landed on his head after a nasty mid-air collision with wing Kurt-Lee Arendse during the loss to South Africa in Mbombela, but was cleared to play the following week.
After playing a key hand in the All Blacks' win over the Springboks at Johannesburg, Richie Mo'unga will retain the No. 10 jersey at Christchurch, while Barrett's absence opens the door for Blues pivot Stephen Perofeta to take a place on the bench for a likely test debut.
Perofeta's inclusion is the only change to the 23-strong gameday squad, with Foster keeping the faith with the group which prevailed 26-10 at Ellis Park a fortnight ago to emphatically bust out of their slump.
Fresh off their 48-17 demolition of the Wallabies at San Juan, the Pumas will play their first test in New Zealand since 2018, while the All Blacks make their return to OrangeTheory Stadium after a six-year hiatus.
"It's great for us to be able to return to Christchurch," said Foster. "The All Blacks have such a rich history here and it’s exciting to build on that.
"The recent form of Argentina makes this test one that we are looking forward to. And the fact that the Rugby Championship is incredibly even means this test is vital to us."
Meanwhile, Argentina coach Michael Cheika has made a trio of changes to his team which beat Australia to move atop the Rugby Championship standings.
All Blacks: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Sam Whitelock, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-David Havili, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-George Bower, 18-Fletcher Newell, 19-Tupou Vaa'i, 20-Akira Ioane, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Stephen Perofeta, 23-Quinn Tupaea
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Pumas Rugby Championship clash
