Rugged loose forward Liam Squire is in major doubt for the All Blacks' opening test of their northern tour after illness left him holed up in bed while his 42 team-mates had their first major training hitout of the week.
Star wing Rieko Ioane is a better prospect to play than he was when they rolled into Paris on the Eurostar on Sunday, after he had been diagnosed with the squad's second (though unrelated) bout of the mumps.
Final decisions on both will be made over the next day or so, but don't be surprised if the raw but exciting Vaea Fifita is called up for the biggest match of his short international career at No 6 against France. The All Blacks almost always require starters to log two quality training sessions, and Squire was in no shape to do that in Paris on Tuesday.
"He's a bit crook, so has been stuck in his room," assistant coach Ian Foster said, confirming it was not mumps-related.
In terms of Squire's selection prospects, medical advice would be followed. "At the moment he's in bed. If he comes right in the next 24 hours, they'll tell us where he's at from an energy side. Otherwise he'll be out."
Even with Squire absent it was a busy day at training on a frosty morning in suburban Paris, with the sort of organised chaos encountered negotiating the Arc de Triomphe roundabout. The All Blacks squad now numbers a bulging 43 after Canterbury skipper, and recent Baabaa, Luke Whitelock was called up to cover for Jerome Kaino whose posterior cruciate ligament injury looks likely to end his tour.
Prop Tim Perry (tight hamstring), a likely starter against the French XV in Lyon next Tuesday, joined Kaino on the sidelines, as what is thought to be the largest ever All Blacks squad were put through their paces.
Ioane was among them, though Foster hardly gave a glowing endorsement that World Rugby's breakthrough player of the year finalist would take his place on the left wing at Stade de France.
"It's the first time we've seen him out on the field, and his energy levels were down a bit. He's had a blowout in the gym, and training today. It's how well he recovers. He doesn't have to be 100 per cent today, but he's got to be 100 per cent on Saturday.
"The goal now is to make sure he takes the right steps to present on Thursday at a more energetic level than today."
Three-test Seta Tamanivalu would be favourite to slot in for Ioane, if required, though Foster indicated he was just one of a number of options.
"I was pleased with him in the Barbarians game. What he did with ball in hand was really positive, and he had some really good defensive reads. Is he ready? I'd be confident to put him out on the park."
Similar sentiments revolved around Fifita. The 25-year-old Tonga-born loosie showcased his upside with a sensational try on his starting debut against Argentina at home, though was not so prominent in the return fixture.
"Against the Barbarians his game went up a cog," added Foster. "He still had that trademark run and that trademark not passing at the end, but his contribution around the park on a lot of the detail side was really good.
"If he gets another chance it's going to be the biggest of his career. He'll be nervous about that, but he's more than capable."
Fifita's bad miss of Ngani Laumape running support on his surging break against the Baabaas would not appear to be counting against him.
"What do you do? Tell him to run slower?" said Foster. "We like him running fast, so we've got to be clearer with what we want him to do. We love his spirit with ball in hand but, clearly, it would be nice to put a bit of icing on the cake at the end."
The other selection teaser will be in the second row, where the All Blacks might opt for Luke Romano's physicality and move Scott Barrett back to the bench where he's been most effective in 2017.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT.NZ (Caption: Vaea Fifita will likely step up to replace Liam Squire at blindside flanker for the All Blacks in their test against France in Paris).