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Leila Masaga - Source: Photosport -
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Chiefs pocket rocket Lelia Masaga is the latest beneficiary as injury continues to harass the All Blacks ahead of their season-opening rugby test against France on Saturday.
Rudi Wulf is the victim this time, the Blues winger continuing his wretched run of luck when he damaged a shoulder at training, all but ruling him out of the Carisbrook test.
Masaga was told to change flights at Auckland airport early this afternoon, about half an hour before his Junior All Blacks squad took off for Apia ahead of Fridays's Pacific Nations Cup opener against Samoa.
Instead he jetted to Dunedin to join an injury-besieged New Zealand squad, of which he is the fourth uncapped member.
There is every chance the 22-year-old nicknamed "Flash" will find himself on the reserve bench, with Hurricanes fullback Cory Jane promoted to start on the wing.
While a final decision won't be made on Wulf until Friday after scans are assessed, he appears likely to join current squad members Conrad Smith, Brendon Leonard, Ali Williams and Jerome Kaino on the unavailable list for this week at least.
Already missing from the squad for three June tests are Sitiveni Sivivatu, Richard Kahui, Andrew Ellis, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Scott Waldrom and Anthony Boric.
New captain Mils Muliaina felt for Wulf, 25, whose promising career was stifled by a broken neck in 2005.
He debuted against England in Christchurch a year ago and played two home tests against South Africa but couldn't retain his place. His only other test appearance was off the bench in the rout of Samoa.
A broken wrist pre-season saw Wulf's Super 14 season reduced to a handful of late appearances where he impressed at fullback.
"I'm really feeling for Rudi because I know how excited he was to get back into the environment and also the way he's been training this week," Muliaina told reporters.
"We've just got to keep rocking on. We've got guys there that can fill the position -- I'm pretty sure they can do the job."
It will be little consolation for Wulf, who was a picture of desolation while clutching ice to his left shoulder after falling awkwardly when contesting a high ball with one of the Otago provincial players used as training opposition.
Classic case of enthusiasm
Muliaina said this week was fast turning into a classic case of enthusiasm overcoming a lack of experience.
"If you take names like McCaw, Carter, Williams and also Rodney out, it's a lot of experience (missing)," he said.
"The excitement of the guys is just outstanding. They want to get out there and play. It is going to be hard but I know I've got a good group of core guys who are experienced and have just driven this team.
"From my point of view it's been outstanding so far."
Muliaina said his Chiefs teammate Masaga would be buzzing at the call up but would need to quickly suppress emotions if he was to be at his best in marking 49-test French speedster Cedric Heymans.
"He'll be well looked after. There are a lot of guys from the Chiefs environment here but the next few days are about him trying to find his own feet," Muliaina said.
"He did play well over the Super 14 but one of his biggest work-ons is (catching) the high ball and getting behind and working really hard.
"He's been given a great opportunity and I'm sure he'll take it with both hands."
Other contenders for the job would have been Junior All Blacks wingers Rene Ranger and Hosea Gear, who debuted on New Zealand's tour late last year.
There was better news today from Tony Woodcock, who was confident he had shaken off the effects of an inner ear infection that has dogged him for more than two months and affected his form with the Blues.
He was more upbeat than assistant coach Steve Hansen who this week said surviving Saturday's test - Woodcock's 50th - unscathed would be the true measure of his health status.
"I'm pretty confident that it's basically recovered," Woodcock said.
Meanwhile, the French arrived in Dunedin today, having conducted most of their buildup in Auckland.
After training in the wet up north, they enjoyed a run in warm, sunny conditions this afternoon.
