Blues loose forward Jerome Kaino will miss the side's next two matches in South Africa after suffering a shoulder injury against the Chiefs on Friday night.
Kaino remained in New Zealand when the rest of the team departed for South Africa for this week's clash against the Bulls, to allowtime for further investigations, with the hope he might be able to later join the squad.
However he will now remain in the country and faces an indefinite time on the sidelines.
Blues team doctor Stephen Kara said after consulting with a shoulder specialist on Monday it was decided more testing was needed to assess the complete extent of the damage and then what treatment options would be needed.
Kaino is bitterly disappointed to be out with injury but says the sensible option is to give himself every chance of healing as quickly as possible.
"I really wanted to join the team for the match against the Stormers; that game is always a toughie and even more so in Cape Town. But I have to listen to what the experts tell me and make sure I do the right things now to get this shoulder sorted."
Peter Saili was called in to travel to South Africa with the team last weekend and with the loss of Rudi Wulf as well, Auckland back Hadleigh Parkes has been called up from the Blues wider training group.
