The All-Blacks’ worst nightmare has come to pass as talismanic out-half Dan Carter has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup.
Carter tore a tendon in his groin in kicking practice prior to the All-Blacks’ clash with Canada, a game in which he was due to stand in as captain in the absence of Richie McCaw.
News of Carter’s injury broke yesterday, but the All-Blacks declined to comment until the full extent of the out half’s injuries became apparent.
The New Zealand nation sweated anxiously on the well-being of their prized asset overnight and would have been devastated to wake up this morning to find that their worst nightmares had materialised.
Aaron Cruden has been called into the squad as Carter’s replacement, while perhaps the most pressurised role in world rugby will fall to Colin Slade, who filled in at out-half in the All-Blacks’ facile win over Canada this morning.
Speaking about Carter’s injury, New Zealand coach Graham Henry said: “It is devastating for Daniel.”
“He has been a world-class player for a long time, probably one of the greatest players ever produced by this country.
“This was going to be his pinnacle, the Rugby World Cup. We’ve had a lot of focus on this tournament for the last couple of years, and it is devastating he cannot be involved in that.
“It is a tragic situation for a highly-talented young sportsman. This was his scene, really – a World Cup in New Zealand and it was going to be his big occasion.
“He doesn’t talk that way, it’s the coach talking, so I feel very sad for him. He is the type of guy who will handle this as best he can and he’s got a huge strength of character. He is a key All Black, not only on the field as the navigator of this team for a long time, but a key person off it.
“He’s got great character and I just feel huge sympathy for him and his situation. The group is obviously very shattered with this news, but they are also a very resilient group of people focused on doing this job right.”
Although obviously taken aback by the loss of probably the best player in world rugby, Henry has put his faith in Slade to do the business going forward, starting with the quarter-final against Argentina next weekend.
“Going forward? Well, Colin Slade’s the boy,” Henry added.
“He played pretty well for a long period of the game (against Canada). He just needs more football. The more time we can get him out there, the better he’s going to be.”
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