WELLINGTON: New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter will miss at least the first two matches of the Rugby Championship against Australia after injuring his leg in last weekend’s Super Rugby final.
Carter, the all-time leading points scorer in test rugby, was recalled to the All Blacks squad last week after sitting out the June internationals against England as part of a six-month sabbatical.
Playing for the Canterbury Crusaders in Saturday’s loss to the New South Wales Waratahs at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, however, the 32-year-old was forced to leave the pitch after half an hour.
“Dan Carter took a knock to his lower leg and a scan has revealed a small crack in his upper fibula,” the Crusaders said in media release on Tuesday.
“The size of the crack meant it was not originally picked up by an X-ray and required a scan to locate it. The injury will require just rest to heal and it is hoped that his recovery will take approximately four weeks.”
Aaron Cruden, who started all three tests in the series sweep of England in June, is almost certain to deputise for Carter again when New Zealand take on Australia in Sydney on Aug. 16 looking for a tier one record 18th successive win.
Carter will also miss the return match against the Wallabies in Auckland the following week but could be fit to take on Argentina in Napier on Sept 6.
There was better news about All Blacks and Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett, who is expected to start at loosehead against Australia after Tony Woodcock suffered a shoulder injury that may require surgery.
“Wyatt Crockett hurt his left knee when he landed on it in a tackle,” the Crusaders release added.
“His knee is settling well and it is not expected it to affect his ability to train next week.”
Uncapped prop Joe Moody, who was called into the All Blacks squad as cover for Woodcock, suffered a concussion against the Waratahs but is “making good progress”, the release said.
Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Scott Sio have been replaced in Australia’s squad for the Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand because of injury.
Polota-Nau damaged a medial ligament in his knee in last weekend’s Super Rugby final and on Tuesday was replaced in the squad by his uncapped 21-year-old New South Wales Waratahs team mate Tolu Latu.
The loss of the powerful hooker is a big blow to the Wallabies, who lost first choice rake Stephen Moore for the season with a knee injury in the opening test against France in June.
Polota-Nau, who has played 49 tests for the Wallabies, will be assessed again after the home test against the All Blacks on August 16 with a view to bringing him back into the squad for the return in Auckland the following week.
Nathan Charles, who made his test debut in the series sweep of France in June, is now likely to get the starting berth against New Zealand at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, where the All Blacks will be looking for a record 18th successive victory.
Sio, who has come on as a replacement for all five of his caps, injured his ankle in training on Monday. His departure has resulted in a call-up for tighthead prop Laurie Weeks, who also played his first test against the French in June.
Agencies
