All Blacks forced to call up fresh faces after seeing Slade and Muliaina exit

The All Blacks have called up Bath’s new recruit Stephen Donald and wing Hosea Gear.

Slade had become first choice fly-half after the All Blacks lost Dan Carter but suffered a groin tear in Sunday’s 33-10 quarter-final victory over Argentina.

Muliaina fractured his shoulder and failed to re-appear at half-time in what was his 100th – and now last – Test appearance for the All Blacks.

“They are very disappointed to be leaving the group at this stage of the tournament. It’s a difficult situation,” said coach Graham Henry.

“Hosea Gear and Stephen Donald join the team tomorrow morning. The reason why they’re joining the team tomorrow morning is so that we can say goodbye to these guys correctly.”

The All Blacks campaign has been beset by injuries, with star fly-half Carter ruled out with a groin tear and captain Richie McCaw playing through a foot problem.

Australia will monitor the fitness of Kurtley Beale and Pat McCabe closely over the coming days after the duo sustained hamstring and shoulder injuries during their 11-9 victory over South Africa.

“Kurtley was tight,” said coach Robbie Deans,

“We’re confident he hasn’t torn his hamstring but we’ll know more in 48 hours.

“Pat was also talking up his physical state in the changing room, but once again we’ll know more in the next day or two. He’s a very willing man.”

Sunday’s match will be refereed by South African Craig Joubert, assisted by Welshman Nigel Owens and France’s Romain Poite.