KEY POINTS:
Keith Robinson has become the All Blacks' first injury casualty - before the squad's World Cup campaign starts.
The calf injury that has plagued the lock for much of this year struck again yesterday during a training session in Corsica, where the All Blacks had been recovering after
their long plane trip from New Zealand.
Robinson is set to spend at least the next two weeks on the sidelines, meaning he will miss pool games against Italy and Portugal.
Coach Graham Henry conceded the injury is "extremely frustrating", although he remained confident the abrasive lock will recover.
Robinson was a casualty when the squad indulged in a variety of recovery games yesterday, watched by a boisterous crowd of about 2000 people in the Stade Mezzavia GFCOA in Ajaccio.
About 20 minutes into the session, the 30-year-old lock sank to his haunches, feeling pain in his left calf.
He walked uncomfortably into the sideline dugout, where he received treatment, and did not return to the training field.
The squad arrived in Marseille (see picture gallery) overnight for conferences and civic receptions to start their campaign.
Robinson's misfortune continues the calf troubles he has suffered since the Super 14.
He has been sidelined at least five times this year, though coach Graham Henry was confident before the side left NZ that the abrasive lock would be injury-free for the tournament. The squad's opening multi-event training yesterday reduced that optimism.
Robinson's international career has been curtailed by injury. Since his 2002 debut, he has played only 10 tests as he has dealt with back operations - which removed him from rugby for several years - and knee and muscle problems.
He has played only about seven games of top rugby this season.
The All Blacks' journey to Marseille ends their brief acclimatisation stay in Corsica, where they completed their sojourn with a team dinner.
After their first squad practice, several team members helped to celebrate the opening of the South Corsican rugby club, while the rest of the squad were escorted on boats in the gulf, played tennis or went sightseeing on pushbikes.
Initial World Cup topics this week will be refereeing interpretations, the heat and All Black selections for the opening test against Italy.
Some of the All Black staff are expected to fly to Paris, where International Rugby Board refereeing director Paddy O'Brien will lay down the law on interpretations to all team coaches and referees.
The IRB has said match officials will not tolerate any dissension during the tournament and offenders will be penalised or sinbinned.
Rugby World Cup officials are also worrying about a threatened rail strike on Saturday that would affect people travelling by rail to the opening match between France and Argentina at the Stade de France.
The All Blacks' short stay in Corsica has given them some idea of the heat they may face in their early-afternoon game against Italy.
They will also discover the passion generated by the crowds, who support rugby most fervently in the south of France rather than in Paris.
Reports say more than 350,000 visitors are expected in France for the cup.