New Zealand utility back Carlos Spencer is to return home from the World Cup after suffering a shattering knee injury. Spencer collided with flanker Dylan Mika during a training session on Monday. A scan revealed ligament damage that coach John Hart said was serious.

The injury has come at a bad time for the All Blacks, following the news that tighthead prop Kees Meeuws could be ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a calf muscle injury.