All Blacks suffer double injury blow ahead of Rugby Championship finale

News of the pair's absence for the Test in Perth was confirmed on Sunday after the fly-half suffered a shoulder injury early on in Saturday's 33-24 victory at Eden Park.

Barrett, who has 141 caps for the All Blacks, was replaced by Damian McKenzie and it has been confirmed that the latter will now run out in the 10 shirt next weekend.

De Groot's replacement as a starter remains unclear but it seems likely that Tamaiti Williams will come into the XV with a bench spot up for grabs for the away clash.

Addressing the injury front after the victory in Auckland, New Zealand assistant coach Jason Ryan shed light on the situation after prop De Groot had failed his HIA.

"We've got a few bodies we need to look after," he said on Sunday.

"And it's an opportunity to look at everyone in our squad too, potentially. We've got to go up a notch because what we're learning in second Tests is that everyone gets better."

This update comes after head coach Scott Robertson also spoke about Barrett in the immediate aftermath of the win and also revealed that wing Caleb Clarke is a doubt.

"Caleb did the same ankle. He will be in the ice bath tonight," he said.

"Beauden was shoulder. He gave his shoulder a wee little nudge. He didn't do it in the in-goal when he landed; that was the second action of it. It's with the scans."

New Zealand's concerns are compounded somewhat by the news that the Wallabies are set to be bolstered by second-row Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini in Perth.

Skelton is available after returning from club duty in France with Top 14 side La Rochelle while Valetini has recovered from injury in what is a significant fillip for Australia.

Incredibly, there is the possibility of a retirement U-turn for Nic White too as the veteran has joined up with the squad to "help them prepare", said Rugby Australia on Sunday.

This comes after Tate McDermott had his game cut short in Auckland due to a hamstring injury and the fact that Jake Gordon isn't yet 100% to make his return to the field.

New Zealand currently sit in second position in the Rugby Championship table on 14 points, one behind the Springboks, with the Wallabies in third place having 11 points.

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