All Blacks captain Ardie Savea stood down until further notice

The influential number eight will miss both clashes with the Wallabies after dislocating his shoulder during the third Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

No return date has been confirmed in the supplied injury update, leaving New Zealand facing an anxious wait over their skipper’s recovery.

Savea had been a standout performer while leading Dave Rennie’s side, but his involvement in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry ended late in the first half of the third Test.

His absence subsequently saw Codie Taylor take over the captaincy for the final match against the Springboks.

Fellow loose forward Luke Jacobson will also miss the two Tests against Australia after damaging an elbow tendon in the same match.

Jacobson managed to finish that game, but the injury kept him out of the series finale in Baltimore, where New Zealand suffered a 43–28 defeat.

The double setback leaves Rennie with some big decisions to make in his back row ahead of another demanding assignment.

The All Blacks will also be without powerful winger Caleb Clarke.

Clarke is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, removing another established option from Rennie’s plans.

With Savea, Jacobson and Clarke unavailable, New Zealand will have to reshape their side as they look to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

There is, however, some encouragement surrounding Scott Barrett’s recovery.

The 89-cap lock is currently working through return-to-play protocols with Taranaki after undergoing back surgery in May.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the provincial union hopes the 32-year-old will be cleared to feature before the National Provincial Championship season finishes.

Barrett still has no confirmed comeback date.

When his surgery was announced, there was hope he could return to the All Blacks environment for the Bledisloe Cup and November’s Nations Championship fixtures in Europe.

His progress could provide a timely boost for a squad already missing several key figures.

Have your say: Who should start at number eight for the All Blacks while Ardie Savea is sidelined?