It was an emotional night for the 30-year-old, who last night became just the second All Black behind skipper Richie McCaw to a century of tests, but he did not see the night out after he succumbed to what looked like a rib injury and was replaced by Isaia Toeava.
Of course, Israel Dagg should be available to play fullback next Sunday, but it is less clear who the All Blacks selectors will hand the No 10 jersey to.
On last night's evidence, it might as well be Piri Weepu.
He kicked goals (he has kicked 11 out of 12 so far this tournament), took the drop outs and penalty kicks for territory.
He directed traffic and even executed the key attacking plays in his man-of-the-match performance.
Colin Slade looked to have picked up a leg injury in the 18th minute before he was was dragged off on the half hour for Aaron Cruden, but Slade had largely been a passenger up until that point.
He certainly did little in his time on the park to dispel doubts many have that he can lead the All Blacks to World Cup victory.
He dropped a regulation pass early and was only saved from some desperate scrambling by Conrad Smith and did little more than shuffle the ball along the backline.
It is unfair to compare him to Dan Carter, because no-one comes close to the world's best first five-eighths and, while Slade will become a very good player in time, he's not there yet.
Instead, Weepu was the commanding All Black and serious thought might be given to shifting him to first five-eighths against Australia.
Weepu is developing into a mature and classy footballer when he is fit of both mind and body and he is also turning into a leader if reports of him collecting an inebriated Cory Jane and Dagg from a Takapuna pub on Thursday night are to be believed.
Cruden played with more authority than Slade when he came on and had the confidence to take the line on.
He seemed to possess a lot more confidence than Slade but it helped he received more front-foot ball as the All Blacks slowly gained control of the match.
Of course, France have traditionally played with their halfback as the navigator and the benefit of retaining Weepu in the No 9 jersey is that he gets his hands on the ball often.
But a Jimmy Cowan-Weepu combination offers plenty of experience.
And experience counts for an awful lot in a World Cup semifinal.