Gain amid pain as Coles shrugs off ‘niggle’

Dane Coles was doing his darnedest to look on the bright side of a niggling calf injury that hovers over his World Cup like one of those dark Tokyo rainclouds.

Coles confirmed yesterday that he exited the previous night’s 23-13 RWC-opening victory over the Springboks at halftime because of yet another calf ‘‘niggle’’.

Remember, the All Blacks hooker told Stuff just weeks ago that he very nearly quit the game earlier this year when he reinjured his problematic calf while playing for the Hurricanes.

There was no such pessimism in Japan, with World Cup history now very much in sight. In fact, the 32-year-old, 65-test veteran told a big media contingent he was confident that the looming 10-day break before the next match (against Canada in Oita) should afford him all the time he requires to make a full recovery.

‘‘I was carrying a little niggle during the week,’’ he said. ‘‘I could have played on, but came off to get it right. It’s the same old story. I got through the week, it tightened up and I did the smart thing and came off.’’

Later he told Stuff he was confident this was not another of those dispiriting, momentumhalting injuries in the making.

‘‘I’m the master of overcoming calfs, mate. It’s nothing to be too worried about. It’s just natural to have a little bit of fear, because I’ve dealt with it before. I’ve got some good systems in place and I’m taking it day by day. I got through 40 minutes of running round and scrummaging which is promising.’’

Besides, there wasn’t too much for Coles to be down about after a confidence-boosting pool B victory over the old enemy. The All Blacks weren’t perfect, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which they soaked up some concerted Boks pressure in both halves to get the job done.

He said the team was in ‘‘good spirits’’ after a typically tough, physical test against the South Africans that had taken a lot of mental effort after a two-week buildup in the World Cup bubble.

‘‘A lot of the boys were quite nervous. There was a big prep for that one game, and I’m really proud we’ve made a good start. Mentally, we had to be right up there. Now we’ve got a good couple of days to decompress and then focus on . . . Canada? Yes, Canada. One game at a time.’’

Coles shrugged off suggestions the All Blacks were heading into an easy patch against tournament lightweights Canada and Namibia, before finishing against the limited Italy side.

‘‘It’s crucial we give them all respect. They’re at a World Cup and they deserve to be here and if we go in with a 50-50 attitude we won’t have a proud performance.’’

‘‘I’m the master of overcoming calfs. It’s nothing to be too worried about.’’

Dane Coles, left