Kerr-Barlow's knee shattered
New Zealand have started the hunt for a new scrumhalf who will travel with the side to the Northern Hemisphere after Tawera Kerr-Barlow suffered a crippling injury.
Kerr-Barlow is likely to be out for at least six months as a result of damage to both his anterior and cruciate ligaments in his knee, and having torn his hamstring from bone in the 27-25 loss to South Africa in their final match of the Rugby Championship.
"He needs an operation when we get home. Sometimes they do two operations but he's about a six-to-nine month recovery so it's pretty major," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
Kerr-Barlow's absence means that another scrumhalf will be sought to add to the squad for both the Australian Test on October 18 in Brisbane and the preparation for the end-of-year tour.
Counties Manukau's Augustine Pulu and Bryn Hall of North Harbour and the Blues are among the candidates to replace Kerr-Barlow in the squad for the Australia match and the subsequent tour to the United States and Europe.
Hansen had already decided to omit utility back Ben Smith for the dead-rubber against Australia after he played every minute of the Rugby Championship, as a break would benefit him.
The move could pave the way for Cory Jane or speedster Charles Piutau to come in on the wing.
Dan Carter's fitness remains a concern for Hansen after the flyhalf strained a calf muscle to miss out on more provincial rugby in his comeback from a broken leg.
"We were hoping he'd get another [game] and then probably take him to Brisbane.
"I'll have to have a chat to him when we get home to see where he is at and see whether we give him another game, miss the Brisbane one and he plays again if Canterbury make the semi-finals or finals.
"We want to bring him in when he's feeling confident rather than trying to bring him in and play his way through something.
"We did that for him last time and it became a nightmare. If we can bring him in when he's injury free and confident in himself we'll get the real Dan Carter," Hansen said.
Carter's continued absence may mean a quick reinstatement for flyhalf Aaron Cruden, who was dropped from the squad for the last two matches of the Rugby Championship after missing the team's flight to Argentina the morning after a boozy night out.
Beauden Barrett started at flyhalf in Cruden's absence for the win over Argentina, that sealed a hat-trick of Rugby Championship trophies, and the loss to South Africa.
