More injury worries for All Blacks
By GREG FORD in Marseille - Fairfax Media | Wednesday, 5 September 2007
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4191101a10295.html

It's far from time to push the panic button but you could forgive any All Blacks if they were to dodge the odd crack on the sidewalk or avoid walking under any ladders in the coming days.

Because overnight two more All Blacks walked away from training at Stade Jean Bouin with little – and we stress the word little – niggles, thwarting any further hard graft at training.

Even though the team appeared unconcerned it was nonetheless, in these times of heightened anxieties with our locking stocks so low, concerning to see Reuben Thorne take an early shower. Smart, of course. Thorne felt some stiffness in his legs and before it turned into something more serious he opted out of further training.

Luke McAlister did exactly the same, unwilling to push the limits as he is expected to be named in the starting XV for the All Blacks' first match against Italy on the weekend.

Senior All Black Doug Howlett said Keith Robinson's calf strain and the latest two niggles were a sobering reminder that the worst can happen, no matter how much you will it away.

"We try minimising it with good food and sleep but it's just part of what we do," he said.

Robinson continued his journey to recovery with a light diet of exercise and stretching at the team's second hitout after arriving on the mainland on Sunday.

The team, with the exception of the aforementioned injured, looked full of beans again.

Dan Carter confirmed as much when he said the All Blacks were anxious to get their campaign under way and thus training the house down.

Carter added the All Blacks wouldn't be keeping anything up their sleeve against Italy.

"We want to play as best we can and from there that will be the bench mark to improve each week from there."