New Zealand - 70 Italy - 7 Tana Umaga's World Cup future hangs in the balance as New Zealand management and medics assess the results of a scan he underwent for suspected knee ligament damage.
The 30-year-old buckled under the weight of a midfield collision with team-mate Carlos Spencer only 20 minutes into the thumping victory over Italy.
All Blacks coaching co-ordinator Robbie Deans expected he had suffered damage to his posterior cruciate ligament, but the All Blacks management were giving little away.
"The guys are aware of what the situation is but we are in a holding pattern," said a member of the All Blacks' team management yesterday.
"No decisions have been made yet. We have got options but will see what happens. We have got time on our side."
The midfield options available to coach John Mitchell for their next Pool D match, against Canada on Friday, indicate just why the All Blacks are considered favourites for the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Centres Daniel Carter and Ma'a Nonu picked holes through the ragged Italian defence, while Aaron Mauger will be back in contention this week after time out with a groin strain.
Add full back Mils Muliaina, who plays centre in the Super 12, and Leon MacDonald into the equation and the All Blacks are well covered.
"Depth will be an important part of the campaign and we have prepared accordingly," said Mitchell. "There will be a lot more twists and turns in this competition before it ends."
The Italians were committed and spirited, but under the cosh for large swathes of the game they did not have a defence sophisticated enough to keep the flying All Black backs at bay.
The outlook for the Azzurri, though, is not altogether bleak.
They tested New Zealand, broke their defensive line on occasion and were committed, if outclassed, in defence.
Even though the All Blacks took advantage of weary legs and sapping energy as the game wore on, captain for the day Carlo Checchinato was proud the spirit never wavered.
"It is never possible to be happy about a loss. You can take positives, you can be happy with the commitment," said the veteran lock, appearing in his fourth World Cup.
"But when you are playing such a strong team there is not a lot you can do. We certainly tried and maybe one day dreams will come true."
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga (M Nonu 23), D Carter, J Rokocoko (L MacDonald 73); C Spencer; J Marshall; J Collins, R McCaw (M Holah 63), R Thorne (capt), C Jack, B Thorn, G Somerville, K Mealamu (M Hammet 63), D Hewett (K Meeuws 63).
ITALY: G Peens; Mirco Bergamasco, A Masi, M Barbini, N Mazzucato (G Canale 74); F Mazzariol, M Mazzantini (A Troncon 62); M Phillips (S Parisse 62), Mauro Bergamasco (A Benatti, 62), S Palmer, C Bezzi, C Checchinato (capt), R Martinez, C Festuccia (F Ongaro 17-22), S Perugini.
Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
