All Blacks scrumhalf T.J. Perenara ruled out of the 2nd rugby test against England

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks scrumhalf T.J. Perenara will miss the second rugby test against England in Auckland on Saturday because of a knee injury sustained during the first test at Dunedin.

Assistant coach Jason Holland told reporters Monday that Perenara’s injury is not as bad as first feared but he will not be fit to play at Eden Park.

Finlay Christie, who replaced Perenara when he left the field, is likely to start in the second test and uncapped Cortez Ratima likely will be named on the bench. Uncapped Crusaders scrumhalf Noah Hotham has been called into the All Blacks squad as cover.

Perenara’s injury in New Zealand's opening win “looked pretty nasty when it happened but he’s better than expected, way better than expected,” Holland said. “Hopefully it’s not too long (for recovery) but we don’t have an exact time on that yet.”

England is awaiting scans on veteran prop Joe Marler's foot injury.

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