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Injuries continue to haunt veteran All Blacks Richie McCaw and Cory Jane, who have both been ruled out of the third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Dunedin on Saturday.
Captain McCaw won’t play his 121st Test and world record 32nd against the Wallabies after pulling up with a tight calf muscle late in training on Thursday.
He has been replaced by openside flanker Sam Cane, with Steven Luatua coming onto the reserve bench.
Keiran Read takes over the captaincy, resuming that role after leading New Zealand in five of their nine Tests this year.
Jane suffered a hamstring injury and is replaced on the right wing by Charles Piutau, who will make his first Test start after not being named on the bench initially.
It is a disappointing outcome for Jane, 30, who was poised to make his return to Test rugby following eight months of recuperation from a knee reconstruction.
McCaw, 32, has also been troubled by injury since returning from his six-month break from rugby.
After two reserve bench appearances for the Crusaders in Super Rugby, he has played just four Tests. He was unavailable for the June series against France, then a knee injury ruled him out of Tests against South Africa in Auckland and Argentina in La Plata.
It is understood 43-Test veteran Jane also suffered his injury at the Thursday training session.
His absence has the potential to be disruptive to an All Blacks backline already missing injured five-eighth Dan Carter and centre Conrad Smith, who has begun a four-month break from rugby.
Piutau played every minute of the Blues’ 16 Super Rugby games this year at fullback.
He has looked sharp coming off the bench in six Tests, including his debut against France in New Plymouth.
Coach Steve Hansen was to clarify the status of both injured players at a media session on Friday afternoon.
Hansen will announce a 36-strong squad on Sunday to play Tests in Japan and Europe in November.
All Blacks
Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Jeremy Thrush, Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Steven Luatua, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Tom Taylor
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