New Zealand's record 61-10 demolition of France came at a high price with locks Ali Williams and Keith Robinson both suffering injuries. Williams left the field with blood streaming from his mouth after breaking his jaw, while Robinson failed to make it on to the pitch after injuring a calf muscle in the warm-up for Saturday's match.
Both players are expected to recover in time for the World Cup, but are likely to miss the Tri-Nations tournament against South Africa and Australia. "The injuries are a major concern for us," New Zealand coach Graham Henry told a news conference on Sunday. "It looks like we will be without both Keith and Ali for the Tri-Nations now.
"However, it gives us a chance to test the depth of locks in the country." Henry said it was still too early to speculate on the make-up of his team for the Tri-Nations until after the All Blacks play Canada next weekend.
New Zealand had always intended to use the first three matches of the season to experiment with as many players and combinations as possible to ensure they had every position covered by the time the World Cup starts in September.
"You need challenges and this is a challenge. It's the sort of challenge this team normally reacts pretty well to," assistant coach Wayne Smith told reporters. "You don't like seeing your people injured, but you've got to see the silver lining as well and make the most of it."
Despite making seven changes to the team that beat France 42-11 in the first test in Auckland, New Zealand handed the French their heaviest defeat in their 101 years of international rugby. The French decision to leave their best players at home to play club matches backfired in humiliating circumstances, as the All Blacks ran in nine tries.
Wing Joe Rokocoko scored twice while hooker Anton Oliver, scrumhalf Byron Kelleher, fullback Leon MacDonald, centre Isaia Toeava, flanker Jerry Collins, replacement Keven Mealamu and flyhalf Nick Evans all crossed once each in the rout. "We wanted to draw a line in the sand, and I thought we did that," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said.
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