All Blacks centre George Moala has been ruled out of Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies after suffering a knee injury in training.
Moala's injury further limits New Zealand's midfield options after Sonny Bill Williams was injured playing for the sevens team at the Rio Olympics.
Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa are likely to combine in midfield while uncapped 21‑year‑old Anton Lienert‑Brown who joined the squad in place of Sonny Bill Williams may move to the bench.
The All Blacks have been experimenting with midfield selections this season, after the retirement of veterans Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith at the end of the 2015 World Cup.
Moala was a favourite to a start at outside center after playing well against Wales in June.
The Wallabies will clash with the All Blacks at 10pm Saturday while South Africa will clash with Argentina at 3.05am Sunday.
