All Black Moala heads home after injury

Wellington - Centre George Moala will miss the rest of the All Blacks' Northern Hemisphere tour after injuring his elbow in Saturday's historic loss to Ireland, team officials said on Monday.

But fellow centre Ryan Crotty will stay with the team and undergo further assessment after straining a hamstring in the 40-29 loss to Ireland in Chicago.

Seta Tamanivalu, fresh from the Barbarians' 31-31 draw against South Africa at Wembley, will replace Moala, the All Blacks said on their official Twitter feed.

After suffering their first-ever loss to Ireland in the 111-year history of clashes between the two teams, New Zealand face further Tests against Italy, Ireland and France.

Reports in New Zealand said Moala faces a long spell on the sidelines after tearing tendons from the bone in his elbow, while Crotty is likely to return for the France Test on November 27.