The Kiwis will be without both of their first-choice halves for the tour of England after Kieran Foran was ruled out with an elbow injury.
Jesse Bromwich, Kieran Foran and Simon Mannering Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand Rugby League confirmed that Foran has been forced out with an elbow ligament injury which has dogged him throughout the year.
Following his final NRL season with Manly, Foran underwent scans with medical staff at his new club Parramatta. It was confirmed the 25-year-old had suffered ligament damage.
"It's disappointing because I was really looking forward to going, but the reality is I have a genuine injury and the medical advice is that it wouldn't be the best thing to do," Foran told Fox Sports.
"If I was to go on the tour, I wouldn't have got back until mid-November.
"It's just too late a start. Especially starting at a new club, I just don't think I can do it."
Foran joins a growing list of injured players which includes Warriors halfback and match-winner Shaun Johnson, who broke his ankle two months ago.
Coach Stephen Kearney's wider training group currently includes just two players with any sort of experience in the halves - uncapped pair Tuimoala Lolohea and 19-year-old Te Maire Martin.
Martin is yet to play in the NRL first grade.
It may yet result in a recall for former captain Benji Marshall, who was recently ruled out as an option by Kearney.
The coach said he wanted to use the tour to build depth in the halves, but that was before Foran's injury status was revealed.
New Zealand play three Tests in England, starting in Hull on November 1.