Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, with 99 tests between them, were each handed one-match bans by Sanzar judicial officer Peter Hobbs after the All Blacks' 32-19 win over the Wallabies at the National Stadium in Hong Kong on Saturday night.
Before a crowd of 44,449, the All Blacks swept the series 4-0 and made it seven wins in succession against the Wallabies.
Carter, meanwhile, was limping heavily yesterday morning with a haematoma on a calf muscle, although he told reporters he was confident of facing Wales at Millennium Stadium early next Sunday.
Sivivatu was cited by Australian citing commissioner Scott Nowland for a dangerous tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 34th minute, for which he was yellow-carded by referee Mark Lawrence, while Woodcock was charged for striking after Wallabies veteran George Smith's face was left bloodied in the final minute.
Hobbs, the brother of New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs, issued the bans at a lengthy hearing which led to the All Blacks returning to their hotel about 3am (local time), five hours before departing for the flight to London.
It appeared the All Blacks felt they were lucky the bans were not longer as they prepared for their 12-hour flight, and assistant coach Steve Hansen had few complaints.
"We got a very fair hearing and we just have to accept the two penalties and move on. We certainly can't complain about the hearing."
Hansen represented the players and said each had excuses.
"It's a bit tough saying it was ill-discipline. In Siti's [Sivivatu's] case it was just poor timing.
"Ashley-Cooper is very good in the air and he jumped up and forward, and Siti mucked it up from a timing point of view. I don't think there was any intent.
"Woody's just reacted to being cleaned out off the ball. He had his back to him and Smith's just cleaned him out. I guess 99% of the population would react in the same way."
The post-match developments have left Hawkes Bay flyer Guildford (20) eyeing a test debut after he was not required off the bench on Saturday, while Hansen said one-test Canterbury prop Crockett would replace Woodcock.
"I was very impressed with Zac all week. He trained like a guy that's been here forever," Hansen said.
"He's a pretty calm and cool kid so there's a big possibility he could play.
"[Woodcock] is a big loss but Wyatt's been with us all season as well and trained really well all year.
"He probably deserves a crack anyway, so it's a great opportunity for him to come out and show us what he's made of."
Woodcock's absence will have Wales eyeing up the All Blacks' scrum, which was put under pressure by the Wallabies.
Hansen said there would be several changes for Wales but the selectors had no issues selecting any member of their 33-man squad.
He said Carter would be reassessed when the team arrived in Cardiff.
There were no other major injury concerns, although most players were feeling the effects of a torrid test.
