All Blacks pair to miss SA clash
- 503
07 September 2014Whitelock suffered a rib injury in the 28th minute of the 28-9 win against Argentina on Saturday after falling awkwardly at a line-out and was replaced by Jeremy Thrush.
Messam hurt his thigh scoring New Zealand's second try and was replaced by Sam Cane shortly after half-time.
"(Whitelock) has got a rib cartilage rather than a rib fracture so we'll have to see over the next couple of days how quickly that comes right," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
"But worst case scenario is probably four weeks and best case scenario is probably three.
"Messam is…