As No. 1 hooker Dane Coles returned to action for the Hurricanes, three other test men went down - Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau suffering significant injuries in the Blues' Super Rugby win over the Western Force and Beauden Barrett hobbling off during the big New Zealand clash in Wellington.
We take a peek into the casualty ward.
Aaron Cruden (knee injury, likely to be fit for a return in six months)
Cruden requires reconstruction surgery and is out of the World Cup calculations. His place as the heir to Dan Carter was a little shaky anyway, particularly as Cruden has the odd goalkicking meltdown. The depth and quality at first five-eighths, once lauded as one of the All Blacks' great advantages, is no longer so impressive. Cruden is out while Dan Carter is playing at half speed in the No 12 jersey for the Crusaders.
The brightest spot is Beauden Barrett's exhilarating form for the Hurricanes, and Colin Slade is showing good signs. But overall, goalkicking is a worry. There's a chance Cruden won't be missed and his injury gives the selectors an opening to unleash the free-running Barrett. But if further injuries strike, Cruden's absence could be a major blow.
Beauden Barrett (knee, uncertain)
Get out the prayer mat. Barrett is playing like a world beater, to the point that a man considered the finest test impact back might force his way into the starters. The Hurricanes are in a sensational mood but there was something of a drop-off when he left the field against the Crusaders on Saturday night. Barrett is such a brilliant counter-attacker that opponents will be scared to overdo their kicking game if Barrett is on the field, which will seriously confuse World Cup game plans. So fullback rather than first five-eighths might be the place for the twinkle-toed wizard, with the revered Ben Smith shifting to the wing. Just a thought. Whatever his role, Barrett is an absolutely essential World Cup figure.
Jerome Kaino (broken finger, two months)
Kaino should be ready for action about the time the All Blacks kick off their season in Apia. Kaino's physical impact has made him a near-certainty at No. 6, in place of Liam Messam. His impressive return from Japan marked him as McCaw-like, a player who can turn his best form on like a tap so a long layoff should not be a problem. It might even leave the veteran fresher for the big stage. While it is a bad finger break, this is unlikely to be an injury with long term consequences.
Brodie Retallick (shoulder, three weeks)
Now this is a worry. The IRB 2014 player of the year has been sidelined by injuries to both shoulders this season, and one of the last things the All Blacks need is for their dominant lock to become injury prone. The way Retallick flings himself into the game means there will be lingering doubt about those shoulder problems until he can string games together. This is an area of reasonable strength for the All Blacks, now that Luke Romano has returned to the fray and Patrick Tuipulotu is showing such outstanding signs. But there is only one Brodie Retallick.
Charles Piutau (knee, two months)
Piutau's status with the All Black selectors is unclear because he has annoyed the top brass by signing to play for an overseas club next year. Under normal circumstances he should be a World Cup squad certainty, but the injury has probably further damaged his prospects because he needed blazing form to keep Steven Hansen and co. in his corner.
Richie McCaw (concussion, one week)
On the face of it, this is a short-term injury with no long-term consequences. But that is old-school thinking - the results of concussion can linger and McCaw has a history in this regard. With more emphasis on the long-term effects of sporting head injuries, sportsmen around the world are considering retirement if symptoms persist. So this is a wait and see situation - and McCaw's form has been close enough to awful of late. What New Zealand rugby really needs to see is a player like Sam Cane taking up the cudgels. Cane has the game to be a world force, but he can't quite match McCaw's imposing on-field presence and x-factor. If McCaw does miss the World Cup, the All Blacks do have excellent prospects in Cane and Matt Todd, while Kieran Read is already primed for the captaincy. The time has already arrived when New Zealand must let go of relying on the McCaw factor - his absence should not be seen as overwhelmingly critical any more.
Israel Dagg (calf, some day soon)
Injuries are threatening to hammer the nails in the coffin for Dagg's World Cup prospects. Once tagged the next Christian Cullen, Dagg probably has more support amongst the selectors than the public these days. His prodigious punting has been central to the plans, but Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett are more electric runners. Dagg is looking a little tired by comparison and his loss would not be regarded as crucial, so long as Smith and Barrett remain fit. Charles Piutau offers a contrasting option.
Patrick Tuipulotu (leg, some day soon)
What a prospect, and in an oldish World Cup squad, big Patrick Tuipulotu would offer what could be essential athleticism, power and skill. He lacks experience so the selectors will be keen for him to return as soon as possible.
