First Take: Injury will put more pressure on Dagg

Israel Dagg and Ben Smith jump for the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Everything is different in a rugby World Cup year. Injuries are a prime example of that.
New injuries are already nibbling at the likely squad. Dan Carter's career hangs in the balance after the weird "dead leg" business in the first round.

Another player under pressure, Carter's fellow Crusader Israel Dagg, departed during the latest match against the Highlanders with a thigh injury. Maybe Dagg had a dead thigh - he's had major problems in that area before.

A few years ago, any lingering problems with Carter and Dagg were catastrophes-in-waiting but other excellent players - Aaron Cruden and Ben Smith - could now be selected in front of them anyway.

But there are other players who just can't be lost without seriously hurting the campaign.

The top of my list are No. 8 Kieran Read and halfback Aaron Smith who may come to be regarded as the finest ever players in those positions for the All Blacks. Read is probably in that category already.

Smith just can't be replaced. His speed, fitness, decision making and constant involvement are the key to the All Blacks' flow. If he gets hurt, the whole All Black game plan changes. Smith was a bit rusty against the Crusaders, but he still scored an excellent try, stepping inside Richie McCaw.

Read is the greatest No. 8 in the game, and has unrivalled attacking attributes that give New Zealand a massive edge. Get out the prayer mat on his behalf, and ours, as well. (The Crusaders are certainly missing him on the evidence of the first two rounds).

Dane Coles has become an unlikely priority, because of his rapid progress and a lack of hooker alternatives. Brodie Retallick, Richie McCaw, Julian Savea...when the must-have players hit the deck this year, we'll all grimace.