All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick will miss the final Rugby Championship test against South Africa next week after his wife suffered a miscarriage.
Retallick was one of six players who did not travel to Buenos Aires for the clash with Argentina, which they won 36‑10, and were scheduled to go directly to South Africa.
The other players Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Liam Squire, Lima Sopoaga and Ryan Crotty ‑‑ had all arrived in South Africa, while Retallick remained in New Zealand.
In a statement All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said "Brodie and his wife Niki have lost their baby boy prematurely, which is incredibly sad news,"
"As a result, Brodie will stay home with Niki and rejoin the team when the time is right.
Vaea Fifita, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Luke Romano and Ardie Savea would return home from Argentina.
The All Blacks have 24 points with one round of matches remaining, ahead of the Springboks on 13 and Wallabies on 10.
The Pumas have no points after five games.
Source: RadioNZ
