All Blacks rocked by injuries ahead of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry decider

The number eight came off with an injury in the first-half of their 29-24 defeat to the Boks in Soweto, and it seems that will be the last we see of him in the Greatest Rivalry series.

This will come as a major blow to the All Blacks, who had already lost the likes of Caleb Clarke, George Bell, Anton Segner and Billy Proctor during their tour of South Africa.

Savea had already missed the opening block of the Greatest Rivalry tour after being rested, but it now seems like he will take no further part in the Test series either.

"It's a shoulder," said Rennie of the back-rower's injury, which initially looked like a pec issue. "I'm not sure if it's a dislocation or not, but he certainly won't be travelling to the States.

"He was massive, but Wallace (Sititi) came on and did well. We're not going to use that as an excuse (for the defeat)."

Savea's confirmed absence for Test Four also throws up a wider question of the All Blacks' captaincy in Baltimore. Luke Jacobson acted as stand-in captain in Savea's absence for the loss at the FNB Stadium, and led the team against the Sharks. Patrick Tuipulotu has also acted as captain for the tour fixtures against the Stormers and Lions, while Codie Taylor skippered the side against the Bulls.

Elsewhere, Quinn Tupaea has also emerged as a possible doubt for the Test finale in the USA, after he was withdrawn through a knee injury.

"The report we had during the game was an MCL. I'm not sure of the extent; he actually wanted to get up and run, but we ended up making a call. I'm not sure of the severity of it or whether it affects him going to America or not."