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Captain Sam Cane and hooker Dane Coles have been ruled out of New Zealand’s tour of Europe.
Flanker Cane suffered two cheekbone fractures in a 38-31 win over Japan at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
The vastly experienced Coles missed that victory after suffering a calf injury prior to kick-off and he will return home along with Cane.
Billy Harmon has been called up to the squad ahead of a Test against Wales at the Principality Stadium next Saturday.
Wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will also join up with the All Blacks for that Test in Cardiff after leaving the squad in Japan for family reasons.
The Rugby Championship winners will face Scotland and England next month after doing battle with Wayne Pivac’s side.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster said: “It will create a great opportunity for the likes of a Dalton Papali’i and he’s in good form. It’s the reality of rugby, you always want to get through your first couple of games injury free.
“It hasn’t worked out this way, and it doesn’t change the challenges coming up.”
The All Blacks will appeal against Brodie Retallick’s red card for a clean-out on loose forward Kazuki Himeno in the 65th minute of the win over the Brave Blossoms, with a hearing likely to take place on Tuesday.
