The All Blacks maintain they are not on the verge of an injury crisis despite a number of their stars sitting out their first pre-World Cup training session on Tuesday.
Of most concern was five-eighth Colin Slade, who slipped awkwardly during the session in heavy rain less than three weeks before New Zealand's first pool match against Argentina.
The incident spared fears of a repeat of the 2011 World Cup medical dramas, where Slade was one of three playmakers who suffered tournament-ending injuries.
However the New Zealanders were quick to play down the drama.
"Colin landed awkwardly on his knee and gave it a bit of a tweak," All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said.
"That's it. He was walking around the sheds afterwards so he's fine."
Also missing from the session was inside centre Sonny Bill Williams (cold) and Liam Messam (predetermined rest).
"Everyone seems to be panicking every time someone doesn't train," Foster said.
"We're preparing for a Rugby World Cup, we're a contact sport and we have to make sure we're battle-hardened and ready to go."
In positive news, winger Waisake Naholo appears on track to recover from a fractured leg to play in New Zealand's third pool game against Georgia.
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