After the first test, injuries occurred for both the All Blacks and England.
All Blacks’ halfback TJ Perenara and England prop Joe Marler are not expected to be in the starting lineup for the second test in Auckland, where New Zealand will fight to sweep the series.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson stated on Sunday that an unnamed player is on standby to join the squad ahead of the final match of the two-game series on Saturday.
Perenara appeared to hyperextend his knee after a collision with a teammate in the first half of the match in Dunedin, which they won 16-15, and he did not return after halftime.
“If he’s not in good shape, we have plans,” Robertson said.
“Hopefully it’s one of those things that looks worse than it actually is.”
The 32-year-old player was making his 81st test appearance 18 months after suffering a severe Achilles tendon rupture in a match against England at Twickenham, which ended in a draw.
England coach Steve Borthwick stated that Marler’s foot injury prematurely ended his 95th test and he is likely to miss the final match at Eden Park.
“When a tough guy like Joe leaves the field, it means it’s not just a small injury. It’s not just a bruise,” Borthwick said.
“We don’t know the full extent yet, but it doesn’t look good for next week.”
BAXTER’S DEBUT
With Marler’s departure, Fin Baxter came off the bench after 63 minutes, but the Harlequins fans found it difficult to balance England’s shaky defense.
Borthwick mentioned that the scrum is one of the areas that need to be addressed but did not blame the loss on forward Marcus Smith’s three missed shots at goal.
“Everyone makes mistakes, and Marcus created some magic on the field today,” he said.
All Blacks center Damian McKenzie converted two of his five kicks and even timed out when he waited more than 60 seconds for a penalty goal.
McKenzie called for the installation of a shot clock on the big screen in stadiums in New Zealand.
“Especially when I’m trying to focus, I can’t always count to 60 in my head. I missed the timing,” McKenzie said.
England will have to defy history to level the series at Eden Park, where New Zealand hasn’t lost a test since 1994.
England is also chasing its first win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 21 years.
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