Broken hand rules Matt Todd out of action for four weeks

New Zealand flanker Matt Todd has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks after sustaining a hand fracture while playing in the Mitre 10 Cup.

After he was not considered for selection in the recently concluded Bledisloe Cup contest against Australia in Dunedin, the 29-year-old played all 80 minutes for Canterbury in the national provincial championship clash against Otago which his side went on to win 30-24.

Following the game, he underwent a scan which confirmed a fracture and now will have to wait for at least four weeks before he will be assessed again.

"Matt Todd had a scan following Sunday's match against Otago, which has confirmed a fractured left hand," the Canterbury Rugby Union said in a statement on Monday.

"He has been seen by a hand specialist who, along with team medical staff, will continue to monitor his recovery.

"Matt will be in a splint for four weeks at which stage he will be reviewed by the specialist before being cleared to play."

With Sam Cane likely to be ruled out of Saturday's game following the concussion that he sustained against Wallabies, Todd was expected to feature in the All Blacks line-up against Argentina but now will have to remain on the sidelines.