New Zealand 42 France 11:All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and outhalf Dan Carter are doubtful for the second Test against France in Wellington next week after suffering injuries in Auckland on Saturday.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen said neither player was seriously hurt but the All Blacks did not want to take any chances with the start of the World Cup just three months away.
McCaw banged a hip and Carter rolled an ankle early in the match. Both players finished the first half but were replaced during the interval with New Zealand leading 20-3.
"It was just a precaution; they could have kept playing," Hansen told a news conference yesterday.
Hansen said the All Blacks selectors had still not discussed the make-up of their team for the second Test in Wellington but were likely to make wholesale changes after their convincing five-tries-to-one drubbing of a below-strength French side.
The selectors are determined to give as many players as possible game time in the lead-up to the World Cup and avoid burn-out among their best players.
"The benefits of what we're trying to do will hopefully come through in October. That is when we have to peak and when we want to be at our sharpest," Hansen said.
The New Zealanders had no problems overcoming an inexperienced French team that had arrived in the country only four days earlier, although not everything went according to script.
Centre Aaron Mauger and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu scored two tries apiece while replacement forward Rodney So'oialo also barged his way over for a five-pointer. But the All Blacks were uncharacteristically rusty and wasted at least five other tryscoring opportunities through sloppy handling.
"The (wet) conditions probably contributed a lot to that but overall we're pretty happy, it's a good start to the season," head coach Graham Henry said.
"We've still got plenty to work on but we're creating those opportunities. We just have to make sure we nail them. If we weren't creating the opportunities I'd be worried."
NEW ZEALAND: MacDonald; Rokocoko, Toeava, Mauger, Sivivatu; Carter, Weepu; Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman; Jack, Williams; Thorne, McCaw, Masoe. Replacements: Evans for Carter (41), Leonard for Weepu (63), So'oialo for McCaw (41).
FRANCE: Castaignede; Coux, Mignardi, Grandclaude, Thierry; Boyet, Durand; Califano, Bruno, Mas; Pape, Pierre; Le Corvec, Magne, Chabal. Replacements: Valbon for Grandclaude (17).
Referee: S Dickinson (Australia).
