However Pat McCabe ensured Wales suffered defeat in their first Test, the final score 27-19, although North limping off with a knee injury after just half an hour is likely to occupy minds as well.
And North isn't the only fitness concern for Wales and Scarlets with centre Scott Williams also being forced off with injury, this time a clash of heads ending his game.
Williams was replaced by Ashley Beck for the Ospreys man to win his first international cap shortly after helping his club life the RaboDirect PRO12 title.
Elsewhere, Leinster's Fergus McFadden crossed for an Ireland try against New Zealand but he was outshone by Julian Savea, the young All Black touching down for a hat-trick on his Test debut.
Two Savea efforts and the boot of Dan Carter had New Zealand 23-3 ahead at the interval, before the debutant completed his treble after the restart.
McFadden then broke away for Ireland's solitary try only for Adam Thompson and Conrad Smith to cross for New Zealand to seal an emphatic 42-10 victory.
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