Several All Blacks key players have sustained injuries following the opener of the Bledisloe Test.

Aaron Cruden, Beuden Barrett, and Luke Romano will not be available for Saturday's crucial match against the Wallabies.

Cruden was diagnosed to have tear the posterior aspect of his cruciate ligament, which will make him unavailable for approximately two to six weeks.

Meanwhile, Barrett suffered a slight calf strain and is expected to sit out, in preparation for their test with Argentina on Sept 7.

Romano has been excluded from the Rugby Championship because of his groin injury.

With key players certainly to miss out the second game on Saturday, the All Blacks are now in looking to field in players who can work to their advantage.

Colin Slade and Tom Taylor services are now inquired replace the two five-eighths players.

With ten caps under his belt, Slade is leading all other candidates for the possible call-up.

The selection that All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen will make is closely monitored by the public, but Hansen played down the build up and instead expressed concern for Romano.

"It's obviously hugely disappointing for Luke, but he is a strong character and is already planning his rehab with our medical staff," Hansen confided to the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).

"We hopefully will have Beauden ready to prepare for the Argentina test, while Aaron will start his knee rehabilitation later this week, which will give us a better indication of when he will be back playing.

"It's an exciting time for the replacement players, Tom Taylor and Colin Slade, and it's also a challenge now for the rest of the team to make their entry into the side as seamless as possible." He exclaimed.