MELBOURNE - Centre Tana Umaga may be out of the World Cup after injuring ligaments in his left knee during the All Blacks' opening pool D match against Italy on Saturday.
Umaga collided with first five-eighths Carlos Spencer as he was tackled and was replaced by Ma'a Nonu after 20 minutesof the game, which the All Blacks won 70-7.
"It is serious," All Blacks coaching co-ordinator Robbie Deans told a news conference.
"It appears to be ligament damage and if that is the case he could be out for the tournament.
"Potentially it is a rupture. If it is ruptured then a decision would need to be made as to whether an operation is required.
"But we don't know until he goes to hospital and has a scan."
"We don't know if it was Carlos or the Italian tackling him, but he took his full weight on the knee."
All Blacks coach John Mitchell added: "It's a very disappointing for Tana. He is very experienced, he's our vice-captain, but you have to deal with those situations. We have depth in our squad and we have the options."
Winger Joe Rokocoko also came off injured with a minor hamstring tear just after scoring his second try late in the second half.
Deans said he had been replaced as a precaution and should be available next week.
Mitchell said that lock Ali Williams, who had come into the tournament under an injury cloud, was "rehabbing well" and would probably be available selection for the side's third pool D game against Tonga in two weeks.
