Highlanders coach Tony Brown said Ben Smith’s ankle had not recovered well enough for him to be available for the match against the Force next week.
The co-captain has missed the South African leg of the tour due to an ankle sprain and there was hope he would be right for the match in Perth next Saturday.
But he would now hopefully be available for the match against the Waratahs at Forsyth Barr Stadium on May 27.
Smith (30) is poised to become the most capped Highlander, as he sits one game behind hooker Anton Oliver.
Oliver played 127 times for the Highlanders from 1996-2007.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has cleared a couple of protocols with his hamstring injury and could be a chance to play against the Force but nothing has been decided.
The Highlanders loose forward stocks continue to dwindle. No 8 Luke Whitelock picked up a grade one calf tear while landing awkwardly from a lineout drill and is out for two weeks.
Liam Squire broke his thumb last week to add to the injury woes.
Jackson Hemopo travelled across to South Africa to replace Squire while Tupou Sopoaga has also left New Zealand to join the squad.
It was hoped openside flanker Dan Pryor would play club rugby today but he has had a couple of setbacks and will not play.
He damaged his knee in the Mitre 10 Cup for Northland last August and has not played a game since.
Midfielder Richard Buckman comes into side after missing a couple of games because of an Achilles injury.Brown said it was tough on Rob Thompson, who was playing well, but Buckman was one of the best footballers in the side and would be welcomed back.