Aaron Cruden's injury will harm the Chiefs more than the All Blacks.
He has been an ironman for the Super 15 champions, appearing in all 42 games in the past three seasons until that run hit a weekend road block in Bloemfontein when he fractured his left thumb.
The verdict was an eight-week layoff with eight rounds of the Super 15 until the June test series with England.
The Chiefs should use Gareth Anscombe at five-eighths in what will be an interesting assessment for those who were puzzled by or approved his rejection from the Blues. If he is injured then Andrew Horrell, maybe Mils Muliaina or Ihaia West could be tried.
Cruden has been a crucial component for the Chiefs in their two championship campaigns and while the team have run a bit ragged abroad, Cruden has been a fail-proof champion and key decision-maker.