New Zealand prop Kees Meeuws could be ruled out of the World Cup with a calf muscle injury, prompting All Black coach John Hart to put Gordon Slater on standby.

The Taranaki front row is set to fly in today to join up with the All Blacks in case Meeuws's injury fails to respond to treatment.

Meeuws will definitely miss the Pool B match against England and is likely to also miss the game against Italy.