New Zealand have been dealt a blow ahead of the second and final Test against England next weekend, with scrum-half TJ Perenara to miss the game through injury.
With Aaron Smith now retired, the experienced Hurricanes star was recalled to the All Blacks squad by new head coach Scott Robertson and started Saturday’s opening clash in Dunedin having battled a long-term Achilles problem.
However, Perenara was withdrawn at half-time of New Zealand’s tense 16-15 victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium, having appeared to suffer a knee injury when accidentally landed on by new captain Scott Barrett after some powerful rucking by England lock George Martin.
He was replaced at the interval by the Scottish-born Finlay Christie, who will now be expected to start the second Test in Auckland on Saturday with Perenara ruled out as he seeks advice from a specialist.
The All Blacks have called up Crusaders’ Noah Hotham as scrum-half cover, with fellow uncapped No9 Cortez Ratima of the Chiefs also in the squad.
“Following scans we are seeking specialist advice on return to play timeframes,” New Zealand said in a statement on Perenara.
“He will be unavailable for selection for the second Test against England. Noah Hotham has been called into the squad as cover.”
However, it appears that the injury to Perenara is not as bad as first feared, with All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland telling reporters on Monday: “It looked pretty nasty when it happened but he's better than expected, way better than expected.
“Hopefully it's not too long (for recovery) but we don't have an exact time on that yet."
England were also handed an injury blow in Dunedin, with Joe Marler withdrawn early due to a foot injury as Harlequins team-mate Fin Baxter came on for his Test debut.
The veteran front-rower, brought into the side to face the All Blacks along with Will Stuart as Steve Borthwick changed both of his props following last month’s 52-17 thrashing of Japan in Tokyo, has been ruled out of the second Test with uncapped Northampton loosehead Emmanuel Iyogun called into the squad.
Iyogun will act as cover for Baxter and Bevan Rodd, who will compete for the starting No1 jersey for Saturday’s concluding Test at Eden Park - a rugby fortress where the All Blacks have not lost now for 30 years.
Rodd started along with Dan Cole against Japan, but did not make the matchday squad against New Zealand as Cole came on for his 114th cap to equal Jason Leonard as England’s second-most capped men’s player of all time, behind only Ben Youngs.
Saturday’s agonising one-point loss, secured by a pair of late Damian McKenzie penalties, means England still have only ever beaten the All Blacks twice on New Zealand soil, with their last victory coming back in 2003.
