Southland halfback Jimmy Cowan has been called into the All Blacks squad preparing for Saturday's Tri-Nations test against Australia after Piri Weepu suffered a thigh strain at training today.
All Blacks management have stressed the move is precautionary, Weepu confident physiotherapy will have him ready for the Eden Park test.
"I just hope the coaches are too," said Weepu, who has been in excellent form.
He was impressive after replacing the injured Byron Kelleher 10 minutes into the test against South Africa at Cape Town four weeks ago and has continued his good form in subsequent tests against the Wallabies and Springboks.
The uncapped Kevin Senio, not required off the reserve bench in the last two tests, will start if Weepu is ruled out.
Cowan played his only test against Italy at Rome last year and also played in the match against the Barbarians at London.
He was sent home from this year's Junior All Blacks tour for disciplinary reasons, suspended for a week following an incident in a Brisbane bar.
Meanwhile, first five-eighth Leon MacDonald, who wasn't expected to train today because of his injured hip flexor, ran through most of the morning session. He sat out the final stages to allow his possible replacement Luke McAlister some time there but MacDonald's improvement was encouraging.