All Blacks captain Richie McCaw takes part in the traditional Maori welcome at Aotea Square.

A proud All Blacks squad in Auckland - are these the 2011 World Cup winners?

Isaiah Toeava, Mils Muliaina and Ma'a Nonu don headwear at the All Blacks' official welcome.

Young and old came out to offer their support - including stunning Aarush Patel.

All Black Keven Mealamu, right, meets French tourist Alain Lapeyre, who gets some memorabilia signed.

All Black John Afoa meets with one rugby fan at Rebel Sport in Auckland.

All Blacks Andy Ellis, Keven Mealamu and John Afoa were at Rebel Sport in Auckland today to meet the fans.

All Blacks Andy Ellis, Keven Mealamu and John Afoa were at Rebel Sport in Auckland today to meet the fans.

Sonny Bill Williams goes for the line during the All Blacks vs Tonga opening match.

Graham Henry, coach of the All Blacks, looks on pregame.

All Black Andy Ellis passes the ball from the base of a scrum.

Richard Kahui of the All Blacks goes over to score the second try.

All Black right wing Cory Jane is wrapped up as Victor Vito leaps to his aid.

Andy Ellis of the All Blacks goes over to score his try.

Andrew Hore of the All Blacks goes over to score a try.

Israel Dagg and Sonny Bill Williams get help from Piri Weepu during their warm-up.

Richie McCaw seemed to be moving freely at training, following his calf injury setback.

All Black first-five Dan Carter cuts through the defence to set up Israel Dagg for a try.

Sonny Bill Williams works out at the AUT gym in Takapuna ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final match against Argentina.

All Black Victor Vito works out at the gym at AUT in Auckland ahead of the quarter final this weekend.

New Zealand's Isreal Dagg passes to Ma'a Nonu as he is tackled by Quade Cooper of Australia.

The concern is there for all to see on the All Blacks faces and star playmaker Dan Carter limps off with a tournament-ending injury.

The All Blacks perform the Haka prior to the game.

New Zealand All Blacks' Israel Dagg celebrates with teammate Zac Guildford after scoring a try.

New Zealand All Blacks' Israel Dagg reacts on his way to scoring a try.

Ma'a Nonu of the All Blacks slides over to score the opening try of the match.

Israel Dagg's rooster? duck? cobra? sign made after his try in the All Blacks' game against France remains open to interpretation.

Centre Sonny Bill Williams of the All Blacks breaks through the tackle from Phil MacKenzie of Canada to score his team's ninth try.

Ma'a Nonu scores the first try of the match for the All Blacks.

For the first time All Blacks coach Graham Henry has admitted that skipper Richie McCaw faces a "major challenge" getting through the next three weeks of the World Cup.

McCaw has been named to start in the No 7 jersey and lead the All Blacks in Sunday's quarterfinal against Argentina in a match that will also mark the 100tth test for fullback Mils Muliaina.

Muliaina gets the nod at No 15 and Sonny Bill Williams comes in on the wing because Israel Dagg (haematoma) and Richard Kahui (hamstring) are not quite fully fit, while Victor Vito provides loose forward cover because original choice Adam Thomson is still battling back from his left ankle injury against France.

1 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ Keven Mealamu, Isaia Toeava and Mils Muliaina arrive for the session. 2 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Colin Slade at AUT Akoranga in Auckland ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final. 3 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ John Afoa leads the pack as the All Blacks go into the gym ahead of their World Cup quarter final against Argentina. 4 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Colin Slade working out at AUT Akoranga in Auckland. 5 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Colin Slade working out at AUT's North Shore campus in Auckland. 6 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Adam Thomson working out at AUT ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final against Argentina. 7 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Ma'a Nonu works out at the AUT Akoranga gym in Takapuna ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final match against Argentina. 8 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Aaron Cruden working out at AUT Akoranga in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup in September. 9 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Sonny Bill Williams, with Mils Muliaina on the left, at AUT's North Shore campus gym. 10 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Sonny Bill Williams trains ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final against Argentina. 11 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Andy Ellis working out at AUT ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final against Argentina. 12 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Kieran Read working out at AUT ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final against Argentina. 13 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ Sonny Bill Williams poses for photos with fans outside the AUT Akoranga gym. 14 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ Cory Jane, left, and Zac Guildford in the boot for their ride home to the team hotel. 15 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ Ali Williams and Richie McCaw after the gym session. 16 of 18 IAIN MCGREGOR/Fairfax NZ Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Adam Thompson and Cory Jane arrive for a gym session at AUT Akoranga. 17 of 18 GETTY IMAGES All Black Victor Vito works out at the gym at AUT in Auckland ahead of the quarter final this weekend. 18 of 18 GETTY IMAGES Sonny Bill Williams works out at the AUT gym in Takapuna ahead of the All Blacks World Cup quarter final match against Argentina.

Henry confirmed all three injuries yesterday despite assistant coach Steve Hansen telling the world on Thursday that everyone was fully fit apart from wing Zac Guildford. Henry said he expects all three of his crocked troops to be available for the semifinal, if the All Blacks make it that far.

The 23-year-old Colin Slade has also been officially anointed as the successor to first five-eighth Dan Carter who last Sunday was ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a torn tendon in his groin. With Piri Weepu named at halfback, Henry wouldn't confirm today who would take the kicks at goal, but don't be surprised if it's the experienced No 9.

New recruit Aaron Cruden is also named on the bench, and Henry says he will probably be called upon late in the game.

Getty Images INJURED: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has sat out a number of trainings because of his on-going injury concerns.

However it's McCaw's ongoing battles with his foot problems that are worrying the All Blacks most as they dip their toe in the business end of this tournament. And for the first time Henry has lifted the lid on the extent of that concern.

McCaw has twice been named to start tests in pool play, then been withdrawn later in the week as his foot has not come right. Though Henry said today the skipper "will play on Sunday".

"It's niggly and he's looking after it as best he can," said Henry. "It's just an ongoing thing really. He's got to do what he can do during the week to perform at the weekend. He's controlling himself very well I think."

Asked if McCaw's foot was getting worse, Henry's reply will probably send shockwaves around the nation.

"I don't know," he said, stern-faced. "I'll tell you after Sunday. He hasn't played a couple of weeks. It's just that he runs on it and feels good and wakes up the next day and it's niggly again.

"So hopefully we've got three games ahead of us and it's just a matter of trying to make sure he's available for each of those three games. He's got to tailor what he does running wise to be able to handle that eventuality.

"He's working hard in the gym off his feet, doing all the cardio stuff off his feet, but just watching what he's doing on his feet."

Henry said McCaw would not take a full part in today's training, but rather would limit his contribution to what he felt comfortable with. "He's a pretty experienced sort of rugby player. He'll do what he thinks is best to make sure he can play well on Sunday."

But the All Blacks coach admitted McCaw's limited preparation and continually uncertain status made it difficult for the world-class No 7 to be at his very best.

"I think Richie has got a challenge on. He hasn't played for a while and he's not preparing as he normally does, so it's going to be a big mental challenge for him."

Those challenges don't end with McCaw either in what Henry terms a "potent" loose trio.

"Jerome Kaino is playing the rugby of his life at the moment and Kieran Read has played 50 minutes over the last six weeks, so there's a few challenges for them. But they've got a lot of experience together and they're a world-class unit when they're right."

Henry also said he had full confidence that Slade was ready to assume the No 10 mantle of the team's departed superstar.

"We've been pleased with him. I think he's getting better, and he's more comfortable in the group. He's got to run the ship, and that's a big ask when you're playing with guys who have played 100 test matches, but I think he's enjoying the environment. He'll play well."

The coach said Williams got the nod to replace Kahui on the wing because he deserved the opportunity.

"He's played well in the World Cup, and you can't deny that he's made a difference when he's come off the bench in every game he's played. He's got a lot of composure, and that try he scored in the left corner against Canada, I don't think many other players would have scored that. He made it look easy. He has got some ability so it's good to have him."

Muliaina will become just the second All Black to reach the 100-test plateau on Sunday night at a sold-out Eden Park, following in the footsteps of the skipper who achieved the feat at the same ground just a few weeks earlier.

The question most of New Zealand will be pondering over the next few days is will McCaw be there to celebrate the moment with his fullback? Henry tells us he will, and we can only take him at his word on that.



ALL BLACKS: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Colin Slade, Piri Weepu; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Isaia Toeava.