Injuries strike All Blacks and England after first Test

All Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara and England prop Joe Marler are both considered unlikely starters for the second Test in Auckland where New Zealand will chase a series sweep.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson had said on Sunday that an unnamed player was on standby to join his squad ahead of Saturday's final Test of the two-match series.

Perenara appeared to hyper-extend his knee in a collision with a team-mate during the first half of Saturday's 16-15 win in Dunedin and did not return after the interval.

The 32-year-old was playing his 81st Test, 18-months after suffering a serious Achilles tendon rupture in a drawn Test against England at Twickenham.

Marler's foot injury ended his 95th Test prematurely and he's likely to miss the Eden Park decider, according to coach Steve Borthwick.

The All Blacks will meet England at 7.05pm Saturday.

In other Test-matches this week, Tonga will meet Italy at 2pm Friday, Scotland will face the USA at 10.30am Saturday, Wallabies will take on Wales at 9.45pm Saturday, South Africa will play Ireland at 3am Sunday, and Uruguay will face France at 7am Sunday.

Source: Rugby.com.au