Imagine the anxiety levels if Ben and Aaron Smith fell over at All Blacks training next week. Worse than that, they both got the verdict that they would not recover during the World Cup.
Concern inside the camp would ping off the register while media outlets would fuel the public worry beads.
It's a dramatic outcome Wales have dealt with this week after losing champion fullback and goalkicker Leigh Halfpenny along with halfback Rhys Webb who is several steps ahead of any rivals with his skills package.
Before that action starts and even with a full-strength squad, there were many who doubted Wales' ability to escape their tough pool where they get their only respite in their opening match against Uruguay before they launch into contests against England, Fiji and then the Wallabies.
However, losing their two premier backs is huge. It would go even deeper with the All Blacks.