Scott Robertson's side for Bledisloe II in Perth may well look very different, as injuries have taken their toll in Saturday's 33-24 win over the Wallabies. Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Tupou Vaa'i and Ethan de Groot were all forced from the field, presenting issues across the park.
Barrett suffered a first half shoulder injury and if he is ruled out of next weekend's rematch, he may well join brother Scott on the sideline if the All Black captain can't recover from a similar complaint of his own.
"He gave his shoulder a wee little nudge. He didn't do it in the in-goal when he landed on it, that was his second action on it. He was gone after that and came off," said coach Scott Robertson.
The All Black coach couldn't say how serious Barrett's injury was, only that the starting first five would be going for scans.
There is a proven contingency plan for Beauden Barrett, as Damian McKenzie came on and played the rest of the test out at first five and has started a test there this season. But Vaa'i being ruled out would create a bit of a problem at lock, if Scott Barrett remains out. Fabian Holland has established himself as a starter and Patrick Tuipulotu is a proven test player, but there will be a serious experience gap behind them if they both start.
De Groot can be covered by Tamaiti Williams, but the Southlander has been in very good form and will be missed at scrum time and the open field.
Robertson seemed hopeful that Clarke would be OK, saying that the winger "needed an ice bath" after re-injuring the same ankle that kept him out of rugby for the better part of two months. Midfielder Quinn Tupaea was thrust onto the wing in his absence and did an admirable job, but the logical replacement would be Leicester Fainga'anuku, who has not made a test appearance this season despite being fast tracked back into eligibility.
Meanwhile, Robertson was happy with the second half effort, that was reminiscent of the All Blacks' victory over the Springboks at Eden Park three weeks ago.
"We changed a few pressure options from putting pressure on us, to putting it back on them, and on a couple of really big moments," he said, likely referring to Cam Roigard's 50/22 and try in the second half.
Much had been made of the fallout from their record loss to the Springboks in Wellington, however Robertson revealed that the review into the game gave the All Black coaching staff positives to work with.
"We played some really good rugby. We showed it at the start...then hadn't finished our sets that well, and that was around the high ball. So there was a little bit about pausing there, what do you see there, what's your best option. And then the accountability of it. But once we sort of put that (game) to bed after about an hour and a half…we just wanted to really get on the field and train, then get out and play."
The All Blacks fly out to Perth for Bledisloe II on Sunday, with the two sides meeting at a sold out Optus Stadium next Saturday night.
