Rising injury toll tests All Blacks depth before Japan clash

The All Blacks juggernaut hit a speed bump on Thursday as an injury blowout saw Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina join Dan Carter on the sidelines on the eve of their World Cup match against Japan. They could have taken the field, but the bigger World Cup picture meant it was not worth aggravating the injuries before the crunch Pool A game against France the following week, said team doctor Deb Robinson. However, despite the accolades heaped on Japan for their feisty performance against France in their first match, they do not have the playing pedigree of an injury-hit All Blacks. Even with reserve fullback Israel Dagg injured as well, no specialist back up to McCaw and backrower Kieran Read still hobbled by a pre-tournament injury, the All Blacks still have ample depth and experience. Both sides will stand united in spirit before the match remembering those affected by the deadly earthquakes in both countries this year, but that is about as close as Japan will get to the All Blacks. The sweeping changes made by All Blacks coach Graham Henry and Japan mentor John Kirwan also show their eyes are on different prizes further down the track and with no suggestion of a repeat of the All Blacks record 145-17 win at the 1995 World Cup. Henry is working on combinations ahead of the play-off rounds with competition for the fullback, wing and scrum-half roles. Kirwan has dropped 10 players from the Japan team that tested France as he sorts out his premier side ahead of his target matches against Tonga and Canada. There are four new faces in the All Blacks backline from the side that started in the 41-10 win over Tonga, and only wing Richard Kahui retains his position. The injuries to Muliaina (hamstring) and Dagg (abdominal strain) have given utility Isaia Toeava a chance to push his credentials as a fullback after starting on the wing. Ma'a Nonu moves back to his customary inside centre to make room for Conrad Smith and Colin Slade gets an opportunity to gain confidence at fly-half while backline general Carter rests his sore back. A forward reshuffle with the late withdrawal of McCaw brings Victor Vito back as number eight and Adam Thomson, only just recovered from an elbow injury, has moved to the openside flank. Keven Mealamu assumes the captaincy on his return to hooker and Sam Whitelock starts at lock with Brad Thorn but may be required to cover as loose forward. Former All Blacks wing Kirwan wants Japan to be the most improved side at the World Cup which will mean wins in pool play against Tonga and Canada, but they still wanted a victory of sorts over the All Blacks. "We need to win a couple of things. We need to keep getting up, we have a responsibility to show our people back in Japan courage and bravery, we want to defend with our hearts on our sleeves and we want to have the ability to hang on to the ball and play some good football," he said. Kirwan said they also wanted to use the occasion to inspire people affected by the earthquakes. "This is just a game and there are a whole lot of people suffering, but I think sport makes people feel a lot better. "If we can get out there and play an outstanding game of rugby and it's about showing courage and courage is about getting up when you're down and the people from Christchurch are doing that now and the people from Japan are doing it as well." New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and former Japan prime minister and current Japan Rugby Football Union President Yoshiro Mori will join the teams on the field for a minute's silence before kick-off.