Dan Carter is out of the World Cup!
All Blacks first five-eighth Carter has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament because of the groin injury he suffered at yesterday’s captains run and Colin Slade will now be expected to wear the No 10 jersey for the crucial play-off matches.
Carter has torn the adductor longus tendon in his left groin. His place in the squad has been taken by Manawatu’s Aaron Cruden who was yesterday contacted by manager Darren Shand.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Stephen Donald was not considered as a replacement.
Henry said he spent time with Carter after the scan revealed the extent of the injury and said the player was coping “remarkably well” with the bad news.
“I just feel huge sympathy for him and his situation,” Henry, who has had the shine taken off his 100th test in charge of the All Blacks today, added.
He urged the media to show sensitivity but added the Cantabrian has a “huge strength of character”.
“It is devastating for Daniel. He has been probably one of the greatest players produced by this country and this was going to be his pinnacle. He was focusing on this tournament for the last couple of years and it is devastating he cannot be involved in that.”
He added it was a “tragic situation for a highly talented young sportsman” and he felt “very sad” for Carter.
“This was his scene really. A World Cup in New Zealand and it was going to be his big, big, big occasion if you like.”
The TAB reacted to the news, with the All Blacks still hot favourites to win the tournament, easing out to $1.60, while South Africa dropped to $6 and Australia $7.
Team doctor Deb Robinson said there was no reason for the injury or any indication this groin problem was flaring up. It just appears to be a terrible stroke of misfortune.
“He had no symptoms on the day. It just happened totally out of the blue. There is just no reason.”
This is a massive blow for All Blacks fans who are hoping their side will lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987.
Carter will consult a specialist in Auckland tomorrow and surgery could be an option.
And what makes this news even more devastating for Carter, and New Zealand fans, is that he has rarely been sidelined by this sort of injury.
The world’s premier playmaker appeared to be in considerable pain when he suffered the injury during a kicking drill at the end of the light training run.
Carter who also played in the 2003 and 2007 tournaments will be gutted to have his world title dreams destroyed by such an innocuous incident.
It is not just his calm demeanour under pressure that will be missed by the All Blacks. He is a vital member of the team’s leadership group and has the ability to snap open games with his magnificent skills – both with the ball in hand or when kicking for field position or for goal.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has been forced to call up winger Lachie Turner and flanker Matt Hodgson after losing Wycliff Palu and Drew Mitchell to injury.
Winger Mitchell succumbed to a grade one strain to his left hamstring in the 55th minute of Australia’s 68-22 win over Russia on Saturday.
Number 8 Palu suffered a similar injury in the 54th minute of Australia’s 67-5 defeat of the USA on 23 September.
Both Mitchell and Palu have shown solid performances in every match they played and after the realisation that Mitchell was returning home, Deans called upon his team to rally.
“It’s up to the boys now to represent him.”
Zane Kirchner’s dream of playing in Rugby World Cup 2011 has been revived after being called into the South Africa squad as an injury replacement for Frans Steyn.
Head coach Peter de Villiers was forced to make the replacement after Steyn injured his left shoulder in the final few minutes of the Springboks’ 13-5 victory over Samoa in Auckland on Friday.
OPINION: Piri Weepu should be handed Dan Carter’s No 10 jersey for the rest of the World Cup.
Carter’s enforced absence is a nightmare scenario for the All Blacks but one that has been their own doing.
To have their premier back – and major points scorer – ruled out of the tournament as the quarter-finals near.
The All Blacks management was putting on a brave face today but this is a very grave situation with the business end of proceedings about to start.
It’s a situation many of us have contemplated with a shudder. And that shudder has much to do with the lack of planning that seems to have gone into finding his backup.
It’s a process that has been going on for more than four years. Here the All Blacks are now with reality upon them and the cold hard truth is that Colin Slade will be entrusted with the playmaker’s role after just three starts in that position and two of those against Fiji and Japan.
And now Aaron Cruden is brought in with one test start under his belt and his last international more than a year ago.
These are two fine young players. But the key there is the word young. They are young in age and experience.
Can they handle the white-hot atmosphere of a sudden death World Cup match?
We are about to see. Or are we?
Cruden’s insertion into the squad as Carter’s replacement suggests the selectors will go down that path.
But Weepu appeals as a player with not just the skills but also the cool head to do the job. There is little that fazes Weepu.
The All Blacks are stronger at halfback than they are at No 10. The coaches can’t seem to make up their minds between Weepu, Jimmy Cowan and Andy Ellis.
@ superBul:
Zane Kirchner????????????? We are doomed!
C’mon Loosehead – give Crusty the Clown a chance….
It’s not Crusty, it’s Sideshow Bob.
Users Online
Total 99 users including 0 member, 99 guests, 0 bot online
Most users ever online were 3735, on 31 August 2022 @ 6:23 pm