World Cup Diary - New Zealand may need to call home after injury blows

He was yesterday forced to change the team he announced in midweek ahead of the All Blacks' fixture against Italy in Marseille's Stade Velodrome today.

Centre Conrad Smith and former captain Reuben Thorne both failed late fitness tests due to hamstring strains.

The loss of Thorne was particularly difficult to stomach because it leaves the tournament favourites, winners of the first global tournament 20 years ago, with just two fit locks as Keith Robinson is still battling to overcome a torn calf muscle.

Former Wales supremo Henry said that "it was beyond the realms of possibility at this stage", that the Waikato player would recover in time for his side's match against Portugal next week.

Henry was unsure also how long both players would be on the sidelines, and did not rule out calling up other players from New Zealand.

"This is a frustration for us. It could take a week, two weeks, even three weeks," he said.

"We haven't a contingency plan at this stage and we haven't discussed it yet."

Full back Mils Muliaina will replace Smith at outside centre — a position that Henry has had problems filling ever since another former captain, Tana Umaga, retired in 2005.

Leon MacDonald, who was originally named on the bench, is promoted to start and will wear the No 15 jersey.

Chris Masoe and Isaia Toeava come into the match-day squad as substitutes.

Henson lowers expectations

Gavin Henson could have been playing in the World Cup — but instead, after injury and a bout of food poisoning last weekend, he can look forward to his first appearance in eight months for the Ospreys in Tuesday's Magners League derby against the Scarlets at the Liberty Stadium.

He is in the squad and Ospreys coach Lyn Jones said: "There is always a lot of expectation on Gavin — but there is no pressure on him from us."

Japan's league of nations miss top try-scorer

Japan, coached by former All BLack John Kirwan, have four New Zealanders and three Tongans lining up against Australia in Lyon today.

But they are without attacking weapon Daisuke Ohata, the leading tryscorer in international rugby with 69 touchdowns. He has an achilles injury.

Tuqiri curfew

Aussie winger Lote Tuqiri, in trouble this year after a late-night drinking session in Brisbane, failing fitness tests, missing training sessions and failing an alcohol breath test, has been placed under curfew.

However, the Wallabies management seem keen not to upset one of their stars too much. He must be back in the team hotel by... midnight.