All Blacks: Donnelly hit by knee injury

Tom Donnelly's Grand Slam suffered a knee injury during the 38-18 defeat of Ireland at Aviva Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

All Black lock Tom Donnelly's Grand Slam rugby tour appears to be over after he suffered a knee injury during the 38-18 defeat of Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

Donnelly was replaced by Sam Whitelock just before halftime and the initial prognosis was not positive.

"It's likely his tour will be over," said All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen after confirming Donnelly had medial ligament damage.

Donnelly had been recalled to the All Blacks pack for the first time since the Bledisloe Cup stopover in Hong Kong, he missed the victories over England and Scotland as Whitelock was preferred in those starting line-ups alongside Brad Thorn.

Veteran Thorn missed the Irish test with a hamstring strain - the first time he has been unavailable this season - but Hansen allayed fears the squad could be short of locks ahead of next weekend's clash with Wales in Cardiff.

"Thorny will be fine. He's made a wise decision to ensure that leg came right."

Boric performed admirably in Thorn's absence in what was his first start on tour - he scored the All Blacks opening try and was prominent in open play and the tight exchanges.

"Anthony Boric was outstanding," Hansen said.

"He hadn't played 80 minutes for a long time and he came out, filled the breach left by Brad and played like a true international lock.

"He really believed in himself and gave a performance he could be proud of."

Meanwhile, the Irish resembled the walking wounded in the aftermath of another unsuccessful attempt to end their winless streak against the All Blacks.

Hooker Rory Best was the first casualty in the 22nd minute when he left the ground dazed with a damaged cheekbone; captain Brian O'Driscoll missed the post-match press conference because he was having scans on a shoulder knock while fullback Rob Kearney and wing Luke Fitzgerald were having knee injuries assessed.

- NZPA