WELLINGTON, July 27, 2008 (AFP) - The All Blacks have added hooker Hikawera Elliott and scrumhalfs Piri Weepu and Taniela Moa to their squad to provide injury cover after the weekend's Tri-Nations loss to Australia.

Hooker Andrew Hore suffered a hip injury in the 34-19 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney, while scrumhalf Andy Ellis left the field with bruised ribs and his replacement Jimmy Cowan hurt his knee and broke his nose.

The All Blacks management said Monday that Elliot and Weepu were to join the squad later in the day and Moa was likely to start training with the team Tuesday.

None of the three injured players has yet been ruled out for the second Test against the Wallabies to be played on Saturday in Auckland, the management said in a statement.

There are hopes skipper Richie McCaw will return from injury to bolster the loose forwards on Saturday but replacement Daniel Braid will remain with the squad this week as cover.

Lock Kevin O?Neill returns to the squad as cover for Ali Williams, who played on Saturday but has not fully recovered from an ankle injury.