The All Blacks have suffered a twin blow, with captain Sam Cane and Dane Coles both on their way home from the northern tour.
Fresh off a narrow 38-31 escape against Japan in Tokyo on Saturday, the outlook hasn’t got any brighter for the men in black, with coach Ian Foster delivering a double injury update on Sunday.
The All Blacks coach said Cane had suffered a fractured cheekbone in the match at National Stadium, while veteran hooker Coles has succumbed to a calf injury which had seen him a late scratching from Saturday’s Test.
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Highlanders loose forward Billy Harmon and Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua have been called up for the remaining Tests against Wales, Scotland and England.
Foster also confirmed lock Patrick Tuipulotu and playmaker Damian McKenzie would rejoin the second-string All Blacks XV, while winger Mark Telea – a late call-up after Leicester Fainga’anuku went home for family reasons – would stay on with the All Blacks as Will Jordan remains in New Zealand to get over his inner ear issue.
The All Blacks are also sweating on a probable ban for star lock Brodie Retallick, who was sent off in Tokyo for a dangerous cleanout of Kazuki Himeno.
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Japan coach Jamie Joseph also delivered a stinging parting shot at the team he played 20 Tests for.
“Everyone is thinking about the All Blacks and that’s part of their armour, really,” Joseph said.
“Having played for the All Blacks, one of the things we used to talk about 25 years ago was that everyone was a wee bit scared of us.
“Perhaps that’s not the case anymore, I’m not sure.”
Japan captain Michael Leitch, who played alongside many of the All Blacks in his time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, agreed.
“In the past, teams have come up against the All Blacks and psychologically you think they are unbeatable, but now those cracks are showing,” Leitch said.
“It’s doable, and we showed that today. Give us an extra 10 minutes and who knows what would have happened.”
Joseph also had a not-so-subtle dig about where the All Blacks may just sit in his world order, as his side now take a week off ahead of Tests against England and France.
“The key for us really is to go to England now and replicate that performance against a better side.”
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