5 Nov 2013

Weepu and Elliot ruled out for Maori

12:11 pm on 5 November 2013

The Maori All Blacks squad has been depleted with hooker Hika Elliot and halfback Piri Weepu returning home after sustaining injuries during the team's North American tour.

Elliot suffered a neck injury half way through the first half of Monday's 40-15 win over Canada and will be replaced by Tasman hooker Quentin MacDonald.

Weepu was ruled out just before kick-off after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained in training on Saturday and will be replaced by Chris Smylie.

Both players arrive in Philadelphia on Tuesday, ahead of the Maori All Blacks' next match against the USA on Sunday.