Dan Carter has been ruled out of the New Zealand team for Saturday's third Test against Ireland in Hamilton with a hamstring injury.

The fly-half will be replaced by Aaron Cruden as the All Blacks go for a series whitewash following victories in Auckland and Christchurch.

Number eight Kieran Read is sidelined with concussion so Richie McCaw, Liam Messam and Sam Cane form the back row.

Luke Romano gets a Test debut and Hosea Gear and Ben Smith start on the wings.

Romano plays in the second row while McCaw moves from open-side flanker to number eight in the absence of Read.

Wingers Zac Guildford and Julian Savea drop out of the match 22.

"Dan pulled up with a sore hamstring after training on Tuesday," explained All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

"On assessment, he has suffered a mild hamstring strain to his right leg which has unfortunately ruled him out of this weekend's Test.

"He will undergo further assessment over the next few days to determine when he will be fit to return to rugby."

Carter's late drop-goal edged New Zealand to a 22-19 victory in Christchurch last weekend, after they had cantered to a 42-10 success in the first Test in Auckland.

"The All Blacks, by their own admission, weren't happy with the way they performed on Saturday, and in part this is a credit to the way the Irish played," added Hansen.

"They have laid down a challenge, and the key will be now how we respond. Character and composure will be needed."

New Zealand: I Dagg; B Smith, C Smith, S B Williams, H Gear; A Cruden, A Smith; T Woodcock, A Hore, O Franks, L Romano, S Whitelock, L Messam, S Cane, R McCaw (capt).

Replacements: K Mealamu, B Franks, B Retallick, A Thomson, P Weepu, B Barrett, T Ellison.