Hooker Hika Elliot and uncapped fly-half Tom Taylor have been called in as cover for the final week of the All Blacks’ European rugby tour.
Taylor, the 23-year-old son of former All Black Warwick Taylor, will provide back-up for Dan Carter, who missed the 33-10 win over Wales in Cardiff on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) because of an achilles problem.
The injury also casts doubt on Carter’s chances of being available for the tour finale against England next weekend.
Aaron Cruden took over the No.10 jersey against Wales, kicking 18 points, but went off midway through the second half after tightening up.
Elliot, who has three caps, joined the All Blacks after having been part of the New Zealand Maori side that finished a three-match tour of England with victory over Canada at Oxford on Saturday.
The All Blacks’ two frontline hookers, Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu, are both in doubt for the Test against England.
Hore faces a likely ban after decking opposition lock Bradley Davies with a swinging arm in the first minute against Wales, while Mealamu is nursing a calf muscle injury.