New Zealand and Blues' George Moala injures elbow

Blues centre George Moala could miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season after suffering an elbow injury in New Zealand's victory over Wales on Saturday.

The 25-year-old scored one of the All Blacks' six tries in a 46-6 mauling of Warren Gatland's side in Dunedin on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 series whitewash.

Moala was forced off in the second half, though, and faces up to a month on the sidelines.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: "His elbow is pretty sore.

"What he's done is he's stretched the ligaments that attach around the elbow joint so he could be three to four weeks, we'll just have to wait and see what happens over the next few days."

Hansen is hoping the world champions do not suffer any further injury blows ahead of the Rugby Championship opener against Australia on August 20.

"I'm concerned about all of them, I don't want any of them to get injured. But at the same time we can't wrap them up in cotton wool," he added.

"We need them to play footy and they've got to play some big games and let's sit back and see how they cope with it. And the guys who do cope with it, that's a big advantage."