Hansen uncertain over Carter injury

Editor

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has no definite return set for Dan Carter after the fly-half was injured against South Africa.

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has no definite return set for Dan Carter after the fly-half was injured against South Africa.

Carter was forced to leave the field after taking a heavy collision from Bismarck du Plessis, for which the Springbok hooker was yellow carded.

The all-time leading Test points scorer only recently returned from a calf injury, but withdrew from his 97th Test match early to be replaced by Beauden Barrett.

“I am not sure how long he's going to be out for but he's done an AC and they're usually four to six weeks,” said Hansen.

Hansen stated that the match had been hugely physical and was also sympathetic towards du Plessis, who was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

“It was a really intense test match, one that had a bit of everything and I'm very proud of how we came through it,” added Hansen.

“In games like tonight you need the big players to stand up and they did.

“But so did some of the younger guys which was really pleasing, the experience they'll bank after tonight will be invaluable for us going forward.

“One or two of them may have put to rest the doubters about them, they've certainly got rid of those question marks for those people. I think all New Zealanders can be very proud of their team tonight.

“In an intense battle like that you're going to get moments and the referee makes decisions.

“He's got to make them in that moment and perhaps Bismarck may have been unlucky in Dan's yellow card, but he probably got the other one's right.

“We've got no complaints, that's rugby and you just have to get on with it.”