The Crusaders are sweating on the fitness of All Blacks prop Joe Moody, after injuring his ankle in Saturday night's victory over the Blues.
Moody, 34, limped from the field early in the first half of the Crusaders' win in Christchurch, adding another injury issue for the 57-test prop.
Another injury would come as a huge blow to Moody, especially in a Rugby World Cup year.
What's more, it would be another setback for the Crusaders, who have already lost All Blacks front rowers George Bower and Fletcher Newell to season-ending injuries.
In recent years, Moody has spent time on the sidelines for various reasons, impacted by serious knee (2022), shoulder (2017) and even eye (2018) woes to keep him off the field.
While the prognosis of an ankle injury does make for slightly better reading, the Crusaders are waiting on news of just how serious the concerns are.
And after such a physical clash against the Blues, the Crusaders might be forced into more than one change for their next encounter - away to Moana Pasifika this weekend.
"He rolled his ankle, that's all we know at the moment," assistant coach James Marshall said. "They would have done some scans or tests this morning, so we'll get the results from that.
"Hopefully, [it's] nothing too major, but ankles are generally better than some [other injuries].
"There's a few sore bodies, that's for sure. We're waiting for the medical [report] now.
"They're all getting checked this morning - the guys who have more serious niggles, so we'll see what that report comes back like.
"But we're expecting there to be a few sore bodies, and probably a few guys who'll have to be out this week."
Meanwhile, the Crusaders will be forced to shuffle their deck at the newly-named Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, as All Blacks rest orders dictate the involvement of key players before Super Rugby Pacific's playoffs.
As a means of keeping players fresh for the Rugby World Cup in France later this year, All Blacks can play no more than five Super Rugby matches in succession - regardless of the number of minutes each appearance lasts for.
After victory over the Blues on Saturday night, the likes of captain Scott Barrett, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili, Codie Taylor, Cullen Grace and Braydon Ennor have all played four straight games.
Should any face Moana Pasifika on Friday, they would then have to sit out of next week's clash against the Waratahs in Christchurch.
All up, the Crusaders are left with having to work out exactly who will be forced to sit out and when over the next two games.
"A lot of those guys are going to have to rest, either this week or next.
"It makes it tough as a coaching group on [determining] what games we rest these guys for.
"We're in the office at the moment finalising the team for the weekend. We'll know a bit more shortly, but there'll be a few guys resting."
The Crusaders are currently fourth on the Super Rugby ladder, needing a top-four finish to book a home quarter-final when the playoffs begin, as they hunt a seventh title in as many years.
