All Blacks Carter and Mauger to miss third test

Injuries have forced New Zealand first five-eighths Dan Carter and inside centre Aaron Mauger out of next week's third test against the British and Irish Lions, All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen saidtoday.

Both players were injured in Saturday's second test in Wellington, which New Zealand won 48-18 to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead into the final test at Auckland's Eden Park.

Carter, who was named man of the match after scoring 33 points in the second test, was replaced in the final few minutes after injuring his shoulder.

Mauger went off in the first half after pulling a hamstring. The All Blacks will announce the team to play the final test early next week.

"We will get in replacements but it hasn't been decided yet until we contact the appropriate people and that will be done on Monday," said Hansen.

He said both players would be fit for the Tri-nations with South Africa and Australia. The All Blacks' first game is against the Springboks in Cape Town on August 6.

Hansen said the loss of Carter would have been a bigger factor had they gone into the third test in Auckland with the series level at 1-1.

"We've just taken the attitude of not risking anybody who is 100 per cent not fit," he added.

"We just have to accept that rugby is a physical game, especially at this level, and people are going to get injured.

"Up until now we've been pretty lucky but we just have to accept it and move on."

- REUTERS