All Blacks: Vince Aso in picture, with Ryan Crotty out of second test

Vince Aso could be a surprise call-up to the All Blacks, with second-five Ryan Crotty ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup test next week at Eden Park.

Crotty sustained a nasty head injury in last night's win over the Wallabies and will miss the return trip to Auckland.

Anton Lienert-Brown came off the bench to partner Jack Goodhue and could be seen as the logical midfield pairing in the second test, with Ngani Laumape another option, after an impressive Super Rugby campaign.

But Hurricanes teammate Aso may get the All Blacks nod, with coach Steve Hansen keen on utility back's services, should he prove fit.

"We should probably start looking for a midfielder, see whose fit. The guy we're pretty keen on is Aso, we're trying to get a medical update on him, and how his wrist is," he said.

"He's got a wrist injury from Super Rugby, he broke it and I know he's had an operation - I just want to know where that is before we make any decisions."

Crotty fell victim to friendly fire after a colliding of heads with Goodhue, and was knocked out before having to make way from the field.

Hansen expressed his concern over Crotty's health, but is confident he's being given every chance to bounce back from yet another concussion.

"It concerns us, definitely - that's why he's already seen the specialist and they've given the all-clear.

"From our understanding, as long as you fully recover and don't come back when you're not fully recovered, you're OK.

"He's just unlucky. Last night was freaky, friendly fire from Jack Goodhue straight into the face, would've knocked most of us out."

Hansen also confirmed Rieko Ioane will miss the next test with a grade-one hamstring injury and he's keeping an eye on Nehe Milner-Skudder's progress, after starring in Manawatu's win over Waikato.

"We had a look at him and are pretty happy with how he went," said Hansen.

"[We] mainly just wanted him to get some game time. He hasn't had too much footy for a long time so him stringing back-to-back games would be good." 

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