Eight-Test prop Joe Moody is on his way to England as cover for Tony Woodcock, who was injured in Saturday's 47-9 Rugby World Cup win over Tonga.
Woodcock hobbled off soon after halftime at St James' Park in Newcastle with a hamstring injury that might bring down the curtain on a stellar 118-Test career.
Moody, whose last Test for the All Blacks was their 34-16 win over Wales at Cardiff last November, was scheduled to start for Canterbury in their NPC match against Southland in New Zealand.
Instead, he watched the first half of Canterbury's 39-20 win from the sidelines before leaving for the airport and the long haul flight to England.
The All Blacks are unbeaten in Rugby World Cup pool play and will meet either France or Ireland in Cardiff next Saturday in the quarter-finals.
