The Chiefs worst fears were confirmed following their 19-23 defeat to the Highlanders in Waikato on Saturday.

Tighthead prop Ben Afeaki left the field early on and has broken his right forearm, which will keep him out for the next 12 weeks.

In a double blow the Waikato men have lost the man who replaced Afeaki in the front row on Saturday, Toby Smith, who pulled a calf muscle and will be out for four to six weeks.

All Black scrumhalf Brendon Leonard went off in the second half after tearing his hamstring and won't be involved for the next eight to ten weeks of Super Rugby.

Finally injury-prone Lelia Masaga must wait for a scan on his knee before a full assessment of the powerful wing's injury can be made, although he is expected to miss a minimum of three weeks.

"The props [injuries] are a massive concern and it will test our depth a bit," Chiefs coach Dave Rennie told Sportal.co.nz.

But Rennie said the injuries apart, the side had been out-muscled by the Highlanders in the collision area.

"We had been looking to our big fellows in the midfield to carry the ball up but we played a fair bit of footie at the wrong end of the field."