A calf injury to captain Taine Randell late in a New Zealand training session yesterday is a major concern ahead of this week's Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Sydney.
Randell pulled up lame late in the All Blacks' first run of the week at Auckland's Eden Park. "Unfortunately Taine suffered a twinge to his calf and at the moment we don't know how bad it really is," coach John Hart said.
"We will have a look at it tomorrow. It may not be serious, but if there are any doubts he won't play next weekend."
If Randell is not fit to play then Dylan Mika will start at number eight with vice-captain Jeff Wilson set to take over the leadership of the side.
The All Blacks also had other injury concerns after the second round of the National Provincial Championship competition at the weekend.
Lock Royce Willis, winger Jonah Lomu and prop Greg Feek all turned up in Auckland yesterday carrying minor injuries.
Hart said that with the concern over Feek, he would now keep Craig Dowd and Carl Hoeft in the squad.
The good news was that Daryl Gibson and Hoeft were declared fit to play after their recent injuries. Selectors will meet today to continue their debate on who to pick for the two remaining spots in the World Cup squad.
