All Blacks flanker Matt Todd has been ruled out of Saturday night's third and final Bledisloe Cup test with injury.
All Blacks flanker Matt Todd. Photo: Photosport
The All Blacks confirmed on Friday afternoon Todd would not take his place on the bench after he hurt his groin in training ahead of the match against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
Ardie Savea has been named as his replacement for what is a dead-rubber in terms of silverware after New Zealand won the opening two Bledisloe Cup games on their way to the Rugby Championship crown.
It is a cruel blow for Todd, who had been given the nod ahead of a fit and available Savea after coming back into the All Blacks squad late last month.
Canterbury and Crusaders No 7 Todd has battled for a regular place in the national side since making his debut off the bench against France in 2013.
The 29-year-old has played just nine more tests since, more than half of them as a substitute.
He has played two test this year, starting in the Rugby Championship win in Argentina and coming off the bench in a narrow victory over the Springboks in Cape Town.
