Crusaders duo Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett have been ruled out of the Vodacom Super Rugby final against the Jaguares through hand injuries.
Crotty injured his thumb in the semi-final victory over the Hurricanes last weekend and will be out for up to eight weeks, causing him to miss Saturday’s final in Christchurch.
Meanwhile, Barrett fractured his index finger and will be out for between five and six weeks.
That will put their involvement in the All Blacks’ shortened Rugby Championship campaign into doubt as neither will likely be fit for their first two games against Argentina and the Springboks.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will name an extended squad on Tuesday.
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