All Blacks duo Whitelock and Kerr-Barlow set to miss out

Whitelock has trained this week, but the giant lock is not fully fit as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem.

"He's been doing some good running and he's not far away," New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster said

"We're not too sure, we're going to give ourselves a bit more time."

Kerr-Barlow is also set to sit out the opening Test in the three-match series at Eden Park, but the scrum-half is in line to make his comeback from a broken hand in the second Test at the Westpac Stadium a week on Saturday.

Centre Charlie Ngatai has been released from the All Blacks squad again as he continues to suffer from the effects of concussion.

Foster said of Ngatai:  "We're going to keep him at home. He's not symptom-free so he'll carry on through the protocols and our advice is it's better to leave him out.

"We'll review that on a week-by-week basis.

"I wouldn't say it's a long-term concern - it affects everyone differently. It's been a significant time period and we think it's best he has a bit of time and space now."

Foster also revealed that no members of the All Blacks squad will be available to feature for Chiefs against Wales in Hamilton next Tuesday.