All Blacks player Liam Messam sustained a hamstring injury and will miss out Saturday's game against the Wallabies.

Coach Steven Hansen will rely on Steven Luatua from the Blues to take care of the gap at the flank left by Messam.

"It's just one of those things, you've just got to roll with the punches," Hansen told the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).

At 22, this will only be Luatua's second test and it may be a daunting task facing the Wallabies which are under new Head Coach Ewen McKenzie.

Hansen, however, believes that the Auckland native is more than capable of handling the pressure and feels that he will come out with a decent game.

"Steven's been preparing to play all week. He'll be fine, he fitted into the last part of training good. We're very confident that he'll do a great job." Hansen revealed to SMH.

"We have a mantra within the group that everyone prepares to play and Steven's done that well. He's had a good week with his preparation and now he gets his opportunity."

The Messam injury is just one of the few bumps that the All Blacks are experiencing. Daniel Carter will also skip the match because of a calf injury and Ryan Crotty's late call-up may have unapparent implications to it.

In spite of the circumstances, Hugh McMeniman believes that the Messam injury will not make a difference.

"Luatua picks up everything Messam had anyway," McMeniman told SMH.

"His work rate is amazing, he's really physical and he's also a good ball runner and a lineout option. What you lose in Messam is leadership mainly. Luatua is a very impressive player."

The Kiwis are still without doubt the favourites coming into the opening match of the Bledisloe Cup. The Wallabies needs to play at a high level in order for them to have, at least, a fighting chance against the All Blacks.