When the 30-man squad for the World Cup was named, there were two surprise selections. Many debated the choice of  Andy Ellis over Piri Weepu at halfback (scrum-half), but it would appear that the selection of Sione Lauaki over Troy Flavell could be the one which comes back to haunt the New Zealanders.

Leaving Flavell at home left the All Blacks with three specialist locks in the squad, plus flanker Reuben Thorne, who can also play in the second row. Before the tournament even began, injury-prone Keith Robinson had picked up yet another calf strain, this time in a game of football with his team-mates. A hamstring strain to Thorne and suddenly the selectors have a problem on their hands.

The tournament regulations state that if a player is brought in from outside the 30-man squad, another player must leave permanently within 48 hours. For severe injuries, such as the torn bicep suffered by Springbok Jean de Villiers, this is not a problem. But for minor injuries which will heal before the tournament ends, it can give a selector nightmares.

'The line-out has long been considered the weakest part of the All Blacks’ game and in the knockout phase it could become a major problem'


Before the game against Portugal, it was reported that Chris Jack was in doubt after a collision at training, potentially leaving the All Blacks with one fit lock, but fortunately Jack recovered. During the match with Portugal, Ali Williams left the field with what appeared to be a rib injury, but coach Graham Henry later claimed he was simply winded.

The injury to Williams and substitution of Jack in that match saw the All Blacks play the last 20 minutes with prop Carl Hayman and loose forward Rodney So’oialo in the second row. The pack took on an even more makeshift look, with hooker Keven Mealamu at blindside flanker, although Mealamu did play that position until 1998.

Coach Henry implied that Thorne could be ready for the upcoming clash with Scotland, and said he would play if he was fit, to allow him some game time. He would not be drawn on a timetable for Robinson’s return, saying only that he had made good progress.

Lock was once a position where New Zealand enjoyed an embarrassment of riches, but a series of injuries and Henry’s selection gamble have turned it into a weakness which could be the team’s downfall. The line-out has long been considered the weakest part of the All Blacks’ game and, while it will not cost them against Scotland or Romania in their remaining pool games, against a contender in the knockout phase it could become a major problem.

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