Carter out of World Cup
2 Oct 2011
Dan Carter has officially been ruled out of the World Cup because of injury.
Aaron Cruden will replace Carter.
All Blacks great Waka Nathan told premier New Zealand rugby site Rugbyheaven: ‘Christ, we’ve got problems … it’s bloody terrible.
‘He [Carter] would be a huge loss. But injuries are one of those things.’
Former All Blacks captain Taine Randell said Carter’s loss would have a massive impact on the side’s chances of success.
‘For us, he is crucial … Carter is probably the most important guy,’ Randell said.
‘I would still back the All Blacks but certainly not with the same confidence.’
Carter tore a groin muscle during a kicking drill at the captain’s run in preparation for Sunday’s match against Canada. Carter had just been named All Blacks captain for the first time in his career after Test centurion Richie McCaw withdrew because of ongoing problems to the foot injury that has hampered his season and tournament.
Both Nathan and Randell told Rugbyheaven they had concerns about Carter’s back-up, Canterbury’s Colin Slade.
Nathan said: ‘I’m not that much of a fan for Slade.
‘I would maybe even change [Piri] Weepu into first five. The drop in level to how Colin Slade operates is so big,’ said Randell. ‘That is why he [Carter] is so important to us.’
Slade was shocking in the 18-5 defeat against the Boks in Port Elizabeth and struggled as the starting option in the 83-8 win against Japan a fortnight ago. Cruden was the form flyhalf in the domestic ITM Cup, but his Test debut against the Wallabies in Sydney last year was not as flash.
Henry appeared to groom Cruden, then just 20, as Carter’s understudy in 2010 with performances against Wales and Australia, but did not take him on the end of year tour, preferring to play Stephen Donald. This proved disastrous. In 2011 Slade, despite limited Super Rugby game time because of injury, was the go to man.
The best option outside of Carter is London-based Nick Evans, but the New Zealand Rugby Union policy is no player will be selected for the All Blacks unless he is playing out of New Zealand. This rules out Evans as it did tighthead Carl Hayman, who plays for Toulon.
Carter’s withdrawal from the tournament has narrowed the odds on a New Zealand victory and improved the price on one of South Africa or Australia winning the tournament.
272 Comments
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2 Oct 2011, 01:09 am
Graham Henry’s press conference, just about nailed it. One of the greatest rugby players ever produced by NZ, this had been his focus the last two years, the only thing he doesn’t have is a WC trophy…and now it’s over.
2 Oct 2011, 01:11 am
@spartan(spartan)-99:
Try openning the other eye ******!
2 Oct 2011, 01:12 am
r e t a r d
2 Oct 2011, 01:12 am
bugger the kiwis, we;ve lost 3 so far and maybe more key players to follow.
Juan Smith, Frans Steyn, Bekker, Vermeulen – Bakkies, Hougaard and Habana all in doubt.
History wont record who was injured, same as our injuries in 2010 – its who wins the thing.
2 Oct 2011, 01:13 am
@whatever(whatever)-94:Yes holding is cheating but in this day and age it doesnt excuse Brussow banging Williams dome Next time you watch the clip dont close your eyes when Brussow is raining blows down on the back of Williams head
2 Oct 2011, 01:13 am
It’s all going to come down to McCaw’s captaincy now. He’s certainly not 100% healthy and his form has shown that. But McCaw’s leadership, the respect the players have for him, and the mana he carries in the team have always been invaluable. That’s going to be put to the test now. He’s got to hold this group together.
2 Oct 2011, 01:14 am
Mccaw is not the player he one was, we;ve got better looseforwards allround, if Alberts is selected over Spies.
2 Oct 2011, 01:17 am
It s not just Richie who is struggling with injury its Reid too
2 Oct 2011, 01:18 am
@cab(cab)-104:
Yeah and we could have done with an extra lock, not Kirshner
2 Oct 2011, 01:18 am
@DAS(DAS)-101: i actually really feel bad for Carter… such a great player, such a shame to miss out.
2 Oct 2011, 01:20 am
@spartan(spartan)-99: No he didn’t. He tried to free himself. End of discussion. First infringement… holding a defender, second… striking a defender. At no point did Brussow deserve to be sent off or penalised in any way. After trying to free himself he even signalled to the touch judge that he was being held, then the hit was seen clearly. It’s a case of a stupid Samoan being a typically poor sport, only it was one of the rare occassions when they actually get punished. Too bad. Now Smit, there is a guy who got a raw deal. Hand coming in under the ball in a scooping motion. He was never going to get hold of it, but he tried, particularly as he had two players outside him that would definitely have scored a try.
2 Oct 2011, 01:22 am
@DAS(DAS)-106: McCaw has never delivered when the All Blacks are under pressure. He has no leadership qualities whatsoever, hence why he is so poor when Carter is missing. Carter, Smith and Mealamu are the only leaders in the team. McCaw is a reputation puffed up by years of All Black worship.
2 Oct 2011, 01:23 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-109:
probably right Coach, dont quite know why kirchner is needed with pienaar, de jong and aplon there – but maybe its cos hougaard and habana are touch and go – the two bif boys NZ and SA are dropping like flies, Oz got questions over Pocock and Moore, and England lost Sheridan. key players change the whole thing, make no mistake. this is by far the worst blow that could hit NZ.
2 Oct 2011, 01:29 am
@cab(cab)-113:
Yes or at least Taute or Viljoen
Yes injuries are affecting top sides
As you said Pocock is so important to Aussies
Carter a huge loss
Steyn not as big a loss as Carter
England ordinary Johnny looks crocked to
France got moral and coaching issues
Anybody’s cup
2 Oct 2011, 01:31 am
@cab(cab)-113:
Hougaard will have to sit out Ouarters
Habanna not a huge loss
Bakkies still a worry
Matfield looked slow in 2nd half vs Samoa
Hope JPP is ok
2 Oct 2011, 01:33 am
Bring on the ABs after the Wobblies, ek se, back-to-back, i can see it now.
2 Oct 2011, 01:33 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-112: You’re simply wrong. Carter is the key to the All Blacks backline, but McCaw is equally as important to the team. Look at a match like last year in Sydney, ABs down what 3 tries? McCaw led the charge from the front, wouldn’t allow the belief to develop that the game was out of hand. Since 2007 he has improved immensely as an international captain. The respect for him by his fellow players is immeasurable.
2 Oct 2011, 01:34 am
Oooooooh Noooooooooooo!
Please God strike Colin Slade down with a lightning bolt.
2 Oct 2011, 01:35 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-115:
Bakkies is key, we lose him, we dont get past ABs, cos he;s the only 4 who has Thorne;s no, they also have a monstrous set of tightfowards but woodcock dont have the dynamism of beast.
2 Oct 2011, 01:35 am
@cane(cane)-118:
lol, caner of all ppl, you losing it, next thing u in the bed next to popps…
2 Oct 2011, 01:36 am
this is one of the greatest RWCs ever, oh the drama, cracker…cant wait.
must just concentrate on oz now, and this bugger is split wide open.
2 Oct 2011, 01:37 am
This WC is wide open. Only an A$$hole would bet against the Boks. Put in Alberts. Bring “Sies” on for impact. FFS. Alberts is a fu##en meat grinder. The Wallabies will k@k with himaround for 60 mins. It is time to repay Frans’s injury!
2 Oct 2011, 01:38 am
@cab(cab)-119:
So we need to rest him for OZ ? Hard decision We basically need best teams from here on
The thing is RM is also carrying that injury and Reid too
There loss is bgger than bakkies for sure, if it happens
Steyns loss not nearly as bad as ABS loss of Carter
2 Oct 2011, 01:38 am
@Alucard(Alucard)-111: Yeah he tried to free himself by smacking Williams in the back of the scone. then hitting him on the arm Sweet as bro you can lie to yourself all day long .
2 Oct 2011, 01:41 am
@cab(cab)-119: I believe Schalk Burger is the most influential Bok . He is the glue that binds SA without him this Bok pack would implode
2 Oct 2011, 01:41 am
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-122:
Agreed 200 %
but at same time I have changed my stand on Smit
Matfield is no captain Smit a better leader
Ok he is not Bismark but Bismark coming in after 50 min seems better
Bismark when he started seemed to want to take on the whole samoan pack himself
2 Oct 2011, 01:42 am
@cab(cab)-121:
I wouldn’t mind so much if Henry and co now used Piri as their #1 1st 5/8.
But they won’t, they will stick with Slade.
2 Oct 2011, 01:43 am
@spartan(spartan)-125:
yeah Skalk and Brussow playing great and doing Spies’s job
2 Oct 2011, 01:44 am
Massive blow to the AB’s, but:
- I am not surprised at all, as Carter has been injury prone for some time
- I would rather he went out early like this, than part way through a knockout game as in 2007.
I hope that Cruden is on the bench for the QF, as back up to Slade. While piri can cover that position, if we are behind with 30 mins to go, I would much rather see Cruden come on as his running game is electric. Far more likely to create something than Piri (or Slade).
Cruden’s main failing in 2010 was his lack of kicking distance from hand, and his short range as a goal kicker. 2011 Cruden has neither of those problems. He is also a lot more confident kind of a guy than Slade. So – I am bloody pleased they cut Carter out of the squad, and brought Cruden in.
We’ve just got to get on with it, just as the Boks and Aussies are. Injuries are part and parcel of the game, and it was foolish of us to build our game around one player.
2 Oct 2011, 01:44 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-123:
yes i suppose carter is bigger than Frans, but holy **** pete Frans was getting the Bok backline sparking and is the only player who can nail peanuts from 65m in, the other teams redzone was in disaaray with Frans on the park and the Boks looked a different animal, he’s defense was also more robust than devilliers, hje was ruling that midfield.
We also lost Juan and maybe Bakkies, those 3 are as big as Carter, the problem with the ABs is they got no-one vaguely prepped for it apart from Evan who they cant select. Cruden got more gumption that Slade, but both totally untested commodities who look prone to the infamous kiwi choke, got to be piri piri chicken weepu whose *** is way too slow or maybe even a gamble on dagg…
2 Oct 2011, 01:44 am
Anyway,
I gotta go,
i have two wrists to slash.
2 Oct 2011, 01:45 am
@spartan(spartan)-125:
you are so f##ken right mate. Keeping the Bokkies on point.
2 Oct 2011, 01:46 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-126:
Another down to the wire insight. These are desperate days. Spot on, despite my malignancy. Mat-who?
2 Oct 2011, 01:47 am
@cane(cane)-127:
its funny was just thinking the same as you on piri, but agree they’ll gamble oin slade, poor young bugger, could pull it off i suppose, personally i;d go for someone like dagg. huge call, but he’s got that confidence, not sure slade has it, and piri;s a bit too safe and slow for the kiwi backline to release its talents. wtf am i doing, better shut me mouth, i want GH to pick slade…
2 Oct 2011, 01:48 am
@cab(cab)-130:
as i predicted 3 weeks ago: we will lose 5 of our best, and win the WC…. on one condition: “Sies” does not start again!
2 Oct 2011, 01:48 am
@cane(cane)-131:
LMAO – Cane is emotional here. this is a first.
2 Oct 2011, 01:50 am
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-135:
u might be right jinxie2, but i just feel we need bakkies for nz.
2 Oct 2011, 01:50 am
Alberts is going to rip the Wannabees a new a$$hole. Let this destroyer start!!!
2 Oct 2011, 01:51 am
@cab(cab)-130: Weepu is a prop
Only reason he gets somewhere with the balls is him running sideways.
And only reason he is in the squad is to lead the Haka
Evans should have been there yes
I agree about how frans has improved out backline but
Head to head Carter is the man he has everything and more
More kicking points than maybe a few 65 meter kicks
Runs the ABs
Great defence
great tactical kicking and decision maker
Just a huge loss for ABs
2 Oct 2011, 01:53 am
@DAS(DAS)-117: No he hasn’t. Last year he was allowed to do whatever he wanted, just as he always had done. McCaw was no great player. I already posted a video of it here, was all the same garbage all year long. McCaw has no leadership skills and offers nothing as a player. No.16 though is his perfect foil, together they have formed a lethal partnership. But remember, it’s No.16 that is die baas .
2 Oct 2011, 01:53 am
This is awful, Carter gone! Rather cruden than slade, slade is too shaky, cruden has been sublime in the ITM cup, Ted must be thinking why didn’t I get nick Evans?!
2 Oct 2011, 01:55 am
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-138:
wish they’d listen to you, but its gonna be spies, suppose we must just support.
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-139:
lol, he is a prop these days, definitely evans but they CANNOT select him such are there principles, they in deep kakkkas here pete, deep. Its HUGE!
2 Oct 2011, 01:56 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-139: Slades good enough he just needs to shake off that last bit of rust . By the end of the Canada game his engine should be running along smoothly
2 Oct 2011, 01:59 am
@cab(cab)-142:
I guess it was a case of Super 15 loyalty maybe yes principals not going to help when you had a fantastic 10 sitting in England.
I can just hear the Kiwi press laptops going as we speak asking that question
2 Oct 2011, 02:01 am
@spartan(spartan)-143:
Canada yes
Argies ?
and then Oz or Bokke?
2 Oct 2011, 02:01 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-144:
if NZ lose this RWC, GH will be utterly blasted for not having developed a backup to Carter – possibly there only real glaring weakness, GH was praying for it not to happen and it has, the onyl other player with such a signficant drop-off is Thorne imo – otherwise they pretty much covered in every other position.
2 Oct 2011, 02:02 am
@cab(cab)-137:
We do need Bakkies 4 NZ. Just one half of Spionkop. But Alberts will get his day. PDivvy will see it in his eyes at training. This quiet fisherman is going to make the ghost of Hennie Muller proud. “out of my f#cken way! Pierre Spies”
2 Oct 2011, 02:05 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-145: Agreed
Canada-yes
Argentina-yes
Semi- big big question mark
2 Oct 2011, 02:06 am
@Jinx2(Jinx2)-147:
Alberts is the only player in the Bok pack who gives go-forward, he;s essential and he;s tackle count is huge too, and yet astruse fok, who will we get, spies. pierre is trying alot harder and he;s a good player, but the pack needs alberts, he is the missing ingredient, he and bismarck in combination transform it from a mediocre into a worldbeating pack.
2 Oct 2011, 02:08 am
Bismarck, Bakkies, Brussow and Alberts – thats how the Boks will win it, with those 4 in the same pack, the others are largely superflous imo.
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