Powerhouse All Black number 8 Jerry Collins is unlikely to play in the quarter final against South Africa on Saturday, 8 November, due to probable cartilage damage to his ribs.
X-rays on Monday, 3 November showed no broken bones in Collins’ rib cage, but the injury is severe enough that the rugged backrower is unlikely to be considered for All Black selection this weekend.
The injury occured during the 53-37 win over Wales on Sunday night. Collins was in considerable pain after the match, he was x-rayed and had a cat scan when the team returned to Melbourne on Monday.
No fracture
All Blacks doctor John Mayhew told the All Blacks’ official rugby website the x-ray showed there was no fracture and the scan revealed no significant abdominal injury.
"He had a nasty blow to his right lower ribs and we were a bit worried he might have broken a rib or damaged his kidneys," said Mayhew.
"He's a pretty tough rooster ... that's what made us concerned last night because he was in so much pain. But it has settled down today (Monday)."
Mayhew said that although there was no major damage, it is likely there is some damage to his rib cartilage. "He is still uncomfortable."
Mayhew admitted there had to be a question mark about him playing this weekend.
"It will be a pain situation. It will come down to how Jerry is feeling. If he doesn't play this weekend, he should be able to play the following week."
IRB regulations do not allow local anaesthetics being used on players.
The news was not all bad for New Zealand as experienced centre and vice captain Tana Umaga will train on Tuesday. His performance at training will be assessed with a view to selecting him in the 22 for the match with the Springboks.
Grewcock out
England’s 111-13 drubbing of Uruguay on Sunday night came at a cost with experienced lock Danny Grewcock out of the RWC with a broken hand.
Replacement lock Simon Shaw has flown to Australia, after X-rays confirmed the break in Grewcock’s left hand.
The Uruguay game was Grewcock's first appearance in the Tournament after recovering from a broken toe when a team-mate accidentally trod on his foot during warm-up before the Pool C opener against Georgia in Perth last month.
Meanwhile Woodward downplayed the ankle injury to wing Iain Balshaw.
Balshaw, who scored two tries in the game, fell awkwardly in a tackle and was stretchered off with what looked like a nasty injury.
But Woodward said: "Balshaw wanted to stay on - it was just our doctor over-reacting.
"He has a minor sprain to his ankle but he's already walking around and it's no problem."
Grewcock in good company
Grewcock will join star South African back rower Joe van Niekerk and Ireland's wing Dennis Hickie and flanker Alan Quinlan who are all homeward bound after sustaining Tournament ending injuries.
Van Niekerk could be out of rugby for up to six months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Springboks' 60-10 victory over Samoa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Quinlan dislocated his shoulder in the Pool C match against Argentina while Hickie ruptured his right achilles tendon against Australia on Saturday 1 November.
Tyrone Howe will arrive in Melbourne Tuesday morning as the replacement for Hickie and David Wallace will replace Quinlan.
Ireland plays France in a quarter final on Sunday, 9 November.
Taylor okay
Scotland's key Number 8 Simon Taylor has been cleared of serious knee damage and will be fit for selection for the quarter final against defending champion Australia at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, 8 November.
Scotland Team Media Liaison Officer Graham Law said on Monday that Taylor had a swollen left knee suffered during the bruising 22-20 win over Fiji in Sydney last Saturday, 1 November, but he had received the 'all clear' from medical staff following a scan.
Taylor’s team mate, wing Simon Danielli was cleared of a broken nose following a heavy challenge from Fiji wing Rupeni Caucau during the match and will also be available for selection.
In the Welsh camp fullback Garan Evans's concussion makes him a doubtful starter in the quarter final against England.
Evans took a bad knock during Wales' gallant 53-37 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney on Sunday night.
Play was stopped for 10 minutes during the match while Evans was attended to before being stretchered off and whisked straight to Hospital.
Welsh inside centre Sonny Parker is nursing an injured shoulder sustained during the match.
Wales' coach Steve Hansen said he would have to "play a waiting game" on Parker's injury.
Burke a concern
Wallaby centre Matthew Burke is labouring with a knee complaint received in the cliff hanger win over Ireland on Saturday night.
Burke had an MRI scan on his right knee in Melbourne the day after the match and even though he was cleared of any serious damage, the utility back is still suffering from bruising of his patella.