Crotty blow for All Blacks

New Zealand paid a dear price for their impressive 51-20 demolition of Australia in Auckland at the weekend.

Centre Ryan Crotty is expected to be sidelined for a month, after suffering a facial fracture in the first half of the match.

Crotty did not return for the second half and was replaced by Malakai Fekitoa, after suffering the injury in a heavy tackle.

The Crusaders midfielder impressed in his first start in his eighth Test for the All Blacks, coming in for the injured Ma'a Nonu – who missed the match with an elbow problem.

Nonu is expected to be available for the All Blacks' next fixture, the Round Three Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Napier in two weeks.

Three other All Blacks picked up injuries – flyhalf Aaron Cruden (chest muscle), replacement back Beauden Barrett (rolled ankle) and wing Cory Jane (bruising to leg).

However, they all are expected to be fit to face the Pumas.

Coach Steve Hansen told a post-match media briefing that Dan Carter, used at inside centre by the Crusaders in the latter stages of the Super Rugby season, could return in time for New Zealand's away match against Argentina in the penultimate round of the Championship in five weeks.

Carter, the game's most prolific scorer, took the first half of the year off to freshen up and was unavailable for the June series against England.

He suffering a leg fracture in the Crusaders' loss to the Waratahs in the Super Rugby Final earlier this month.

While having him back for the Test in La Plata is the plan, Hansen also said Carter wouldn't be rushed.

"We want to make sure he's right to play, and if there's a likelihood that's he not right then we don't do that," he said.

"We want him to be feeling really comfortable and excited about being back when the time is right for him to be back."