An injured Ma'a Nonu in the 2014 Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks are still sweating on the fitness of two veteran players for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Auckland.
The midfielder, Ma'a Nonu, is in doubt with a shoulder injury, while the loose forward, Jerome Kaino, is struggling with an elbow problem after both players left the field early in the drawn first test.
Both were due to have scans yesterday afternoon with an update on their availability expected at the All Blacks media session in Auckland at half past midday today.
The number eight, Kieran Read, is hopeful both players will be fit to take the field at Eden Park.
"They're both a little bit down with the injuries...but it's just a case of wait and see with the scans and and hopefully it's all positive."
The All Blacks are expected to welcome the centre, Conrad Smith, back into the squad after he missed the first test to be at the birth of his first child.
An injured Jerome Kaino in the 2014 Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Coach Steve Hansen says if Nonu is ruled out of Saturday's rematch then Ryan Crotty is his likely replacement, though rookie Malakai Fekitoa will also be considered.
The result meant the All Blacks miss out on claiming a world record 18th straight win, while the Wallabies must secure their first victory away from home against their arch rivals in 13 years to avoid another Bledisloe Cup defeat.
In a gritty encounter played out in a Sydney rainstorm, Australia benefited from yellow cards shown to All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett and replacement back Beauden Barrett either side of the half-time break.
Ben Smith tackled by Rob Horne and James Slipper. Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup International Rugby Test Match,Wallabies vs New Zealand, Sydney, 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Adam Ashley-Cooper takes the kick off with support from Nathan Charles. Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup International Rugby Test Match, Australia Wallabies vs New Zealand All Blacks, Sydney, 16 August 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wallabies tied the match up with first-five Kurtley Beale's fourth penalty 10 minutes from time when Barrett was sin-binned but were unable to make the most of their superior numbers and secure a first victory over the All Blacks for three years.
First-five Aaron Cruden scored all of New Zealand's points with four penalty kicks of his own as the world champions came up short of a win for the first time in the three years of the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand came up short of the record for most consecutive wins in top tier rugby but there was pride mixed in with the disappointment for the world champions.
The All Blacks have played many better games on the 17-match run that took them to the brink of the record but rarely have they had to defend with such sheer bloody-mindedness.
New Zealand have been so dominant in the Rugby Championship over the last two years - they won all six matches in each campaign - that it is easy to forget that rivals South Africa and Australia are ranked second and third in the world.
Their defensive effort in the 12-12 draw was even more impressive for the fact they lost prop Crockett to a yellow card at the end of the first half and Barrett to the sin bin 11 minutes from time.
"I congratulate Australia on their performance and I would like to say how proud I am of my team," said coach Steve Hansen.
"Although we made a lot of mistakes at times and probably didn't play the way we like to we did defend for long periods of time and we showed a lot of heart and courage.
"I think a lot of other teams would have crumbled under the pressure we were under.
The All Blacks have been downplaying the record for most consecutive wins by a top tier nation, which they now still share at 17 with the 1965-69 All Blacks and South Africa side of 1997-98.
