The Crusaders' 42-30 win over the Western Force in Perth's come at a cost with All Blacks prop Ben Franks suffering a recurrence of the back injury that forced him out of last year's grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland.
Franks has joined the growing list of Graham Henry's World Cup contenders on the sidelines as the Crusaders scored two tries in the last 10 minutes to quash a desperate challenge from the Force.
He will undergo further medical assessment before the squad heads to South Africa on Monday, but Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is pessimistic about the front rower's prospects of making the trip.
Blackadder says they're holding their breath on him but it's not looking good as Franks felt a bit of a popping sensation there and he's had an injury there before in his lower back.
Last November Franks had to return home before the second leg of the grand slam against Scotland after injuring his back during a gym session.
