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Smith injured his thumb in Saturday's second Test. Photosport/Jason Oxenham/INPHO

All Blacks centre Smith ruled out of third Test against England

Meanwhile, Munster fans will get a chance to see Tyler Bleyendaal in action against a second-string English side tomorrow.

ALL BLACKS CENTRE Conrad Smith will miss the third and final Test against England after breaking his thumb in the second Test win on Saturday.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen revealed that the in-form Smith would be sidelined for at least a month after being injured in the 28-27 victory in Dunedin.

“What we thought was only a muscle injury has turned out to be a broken bone for Conrad Smith in his thumb, so he won’t be considered for Saturday unfortunately,” Hansen told reporters.

So it’s bad luck for him and an opportunity for someone else.”

Smith was at his sublime best against England on Saturday, once again demonstrating his rounded skill set and intelligence.

Hansen said he was looking at either Ryan Crotty or Malakai Fekitoa to replace Smith in the third Test in Hamilton. Crotty played the last of his five Tests against Ireland in November, while Fekitoa made his international debut off the bench in the first Test against England on June 7.

New Zealand have already won the series with wins in the first two Tests.

Tyler Bleyendaal on the attack Munster fans can watch Bleyendaal in action against an English side tomorrow. Photosport / Chris Symes/INPHO Photosport / Chris Symes/INPHO / Chris Symes/INPHO

Meanwhile, England and the Crusaders have named their teams for their friendly match in Christchurch tomorrow [KO 8.00am Irish time]. Of particular interest to Munster fans will be Tyler Bleyendaal at out-half for the Crusaders.

The 24-year-old will join the Irish province later this year, although the early suggestion is that he will play in the centre rather than his more natural position in the 10 jersey.

England: Alex Goode; Ben Foden, Henry Trinder, Brad Barritt, Anthony Watson; Danny Cipriani, Lee Dickson; Alex Waller, Joe Gray, Henry Thomas; Ed Slater (capt.), Dave Attwood; James Haskell, Matt Kvesic, Tom Johnson.

Replacements: David Ward, Nathan Catt, Kyle Sinckler, Michael Paterson, Richard Wigglesworth, Stephen Myler, Jonny May, Chris Pennell.

Canterbury: Tom Taylor; Johnny McNicholl, Reynold Lee-Lo, Kieron Fonotia, Nafi Tuitavake; Tyler Bleyendaal, Willi Heinz; Tim Perry, Corey Flynn,  Nepo Laulala; Jimmy Tupou, Joel Everson; Jordan Taufua, George Whitelock (capt.), Luke Whitelock.

Replacements: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Siate Tokolahi, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, Andy Ellis, Adam Whitelock, Rob Thompson.

- © AFP, 2014

- Additional reporting by TheScore.ie.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 6th 2019, 11:11 PM

    Roma should have had a pen at the end as well

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Mar 6th 2019, 11:19 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: don’t agree , the player sees the ball is getting away , he slows down and clashes with the defender while leaving the box . Contact may have been made inside but he wasn’t trying to play the ball .

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 6th 2019, 11:56 PM

    @Limón Madrugada: a player doesn’t have to be trying to play the ball to be fouled. The defending player cuts across the back of the attacker clipping his heel. Accidental but in my opinion a penalty.

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    Mute Gavin Mitchell
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    Mar 6th 2019, 11:41 PM

    Should have been a second yellow for Dzeko. Like come on! They have a verbal spat after their headclash and decides’Ill go down because thats a great idea’.

    He wont want to watch that again.

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