New Zealand celebrations for captain Richie McCaw’s 100-cap milestone were tempered yesterday when flyhalf Dan Carter was ruled out of their rugby World Cup match against Japan with persistent back soreness.
Carter, who suffered a back strain in the All Blacks’ 41-10 win over Tonga in the tournament opener, was initially named in the starting 15 for tomorrow’s game, but it was clear the injury had not fully healed during a light training session, the team said in a statement.
“The key thing is that Daniel had been recovering well from a stiff lower back,” All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said. “However, he pulled up sore at an indoor training session this morning, so we have made the decision not to risk him for the Japan match and we will aim to have him back fully training next week in preparation for the France Test.”
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The All Blacks play their pool match against World Cup nemesis, France, on Sept. 24 in Auckland, and the news of Carter’s injury is likely to prompt some hand-wringing amongst New Zealand fans in the lead-up.
The Carter setback means a promotion for stand-in Colin Slade to the starting 15, while forcing a bench reshuffle. Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan comes in as a replacement with Piri Weepu providing cover for Slade.
The injury also took some of the gloss off the All Blacks’ team announcement for the match against Japan’s “Brave Blossoms,” which will see skipper McCaw become the first player to play 100 international Tests for New Zealand when he runs out at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium.
McCaw earned man-of-the-match honors in his 2001 debut against Ireland, and has captained the side since Tana Umaga retired after the 2005 grand-slam tour of Britain and Ireland.
The milestone was a “truly remarkable achievement [for amy player],” All Blacks coach Graham Henry said in Hamilton yesterday after the team was announced.
“His steel, his bravery, his ability to lead by example, the respect the players have for him … I think, more importantly, he’s an inspirational person for New Zealanders, and the team, by being the person that he is and the way he plays the game,” Henry said.
Fullback Mils Muliaina has been recalled to the side to win his 99th cap, as he continues his battle with Israel Dagg for the starting spot for the rest of the tournament.
Despite scoring two tries in the All Blacks’ 41-10 win over Tonga in an impressive return to the side, Dagg will not even warm the bench for the game against the Pacific Nations Cup champions.
Referring to the fullbacks battle, Henry said there was still plenty to play for, as Muliaina strives to avoid getting stranded on 99 Tests.
“You’ve got the old bull and the new bull and it’s a good contest,” Henry said. “But if you don’t give the old bull a chance, he’s not going to be able to show what he can do and he’s showed this country for 98 Test matches what he can do. He’s often been the No. 1 fullback playing the game. It’s just trying to get that balance right so both have an opportunity to show that they’re good enough.”
Henry admitted there had been some thought given to the idea of playing both players in the starting side, with Muliaina at fullback and Dagg on the wing, but he had his doubts about such a move.
Henry has named Andy Ellis to start at scrumhalf in place of Cowan, while shifting utility back Richard Kahui, who also scored two tries against Tonga, to left wing to allow Cory Jane to start the game on the right.
Center Conrad Smith also returns to the side for his 50th Test and recommences his combination with Ma’a Nonu, who has shifted back to his more preferred position of inside center after he played center at Eden Park.
The All Blacks have also welcomed back loose forward Adam Thomson from an elbow injury he suffered in the All Blacks’ 25-20 loss to Australia in the Tri-Nations decider in Brisbane on Aug. 27. He has been named at No. 8.
Hooker Keven Mealamu also returns to the side in what is essentially a full-strength pack.
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