All Blacks skipper Cane to miss November tests

New Zealand captain Sam Cane will miss the rest of his country's autumn tour after suffering a fractured cheekbone during Saturday's 38-31 win over Japan.

The 30-year-old back-rower will return home from Tokyo and see a specialist to learn whether he requires surgery on the double break.

He will miss the All Blacks' clash with Wales on Saturday in Cardiff, in addition to subsequent games against Scotland and England.

Cane managed to complete the match against the Brave Blossoms after sustaining the injury at a lineout with around 10 minutes remaining, before hospital scans revealed two fractures around his left eye.

"Without having done my cheekbone before, I knew I had probably done my cheekbone," he said, according to allblacks.com.

"I could feel it when I put my hand on my head. And I could feel the blood in my mouth. It was sort of sore but numb at the same time.

"The game was in the balance at that point, and it didn't restrict my ability to play and perform so I was happy to carry on."

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles (calf) will also return home. Asafo Aumua and uncapped Highlanders flanker Billy Harmon have been called up as replacements.