The Chiefs have suffered a major blow as they prepare for next weekend's Super Rugby play-off qualifier at New Zealand rivals the Highlanders with the news that scrum-half Augustine Pulu has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a fractured forearm.
The 25-year-old, who played two Tests for the All Blacks on their 2014 European tour, broke his arm in Saturday's 21-13 defeat to the Hurricanes in Taranaki.
The Chiefs have already been without another All Black scrum-half, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, for the entire season after he tore ligaments in his knee against South Africa last October.
There was some better news for the Chiefs earlier when marquee centre Sonny Bill Williams received a "citing commissioner warning" for a high tackle in the 40th minute of the defeat.
Williams will therefore be available for the Kiwi derby against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday, which will decide which of the two teams goes through to the semi-finals.
Saturday's other wildcard play-off pitches the Stormers against the Brumbies in Cape Town and the South African side look likely to lose the services of young back Robert du Preez after he was cited for a spear tackle.
Du Preez, 21, son of a former Springboks scrum-half of the same name, was making his Super Rugby debut in Saturday's 34-12 defeat to the Sharks when he was yellow carded in the 76th minute for dangerous play.
He looks almost certain to be banned, although he would have been an unlikely starter against the Brumbies in any case given the Stormers rested 14 first-choice players against the Sharks.
The Canberra-based Brumbies have some concerns about former Australia captain David Pocock after the flanker failed a concussion test during Saturday's defeat to the Crusaders.
Coach Stephen Larkham said he expected the African-born Wallabies back-row forward, who scored his eighth try of the season against the New Zealanders, to be cleared to play at Newlands.
"Poey came off for a concussion test, so he's on a six-day, return-to-play protocol, but he should be fine," said Larkham. "Six days back to playing is Friday and he can partake in training on the Wednesday, so he should be fine."