Cape Town - The majority of the All Blacks squad has been flattened by a violent - but brief - bug in London.

According to the New Zealand Herald website's Wynne Gray, instead of enjoying the sights of London on their rest day, about 18 players and officials spent much of the day in bed or in the bathroom.

"The guys have had vomiting and diarrhoea and it has been tough" coach Steve Hansen revealed.

Some were given anti-nausea jabs by team doctor Deb Robinson who was certain the illness would last only a day.

The episode will bring back haunting memories for some of the food poisoning episode which derailed the All Blacks on the eve of their Rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg in 1995.

In subsequent claims, coach Laurie Mains believed someone - later named as 'Suzy' - had tampered with the coffee in the team room. But there are no suggestions of any dodgy tactics in the latest episode.

The All Blacks tackle England at Twickenham on Saturday in the final Test of their end of year campaign. Kick-off is at 16:30 SA time.