ruckingkiwi says...

Do we really need him? He should rest ...

We won the WC without him, hell even our captain was on one leg, we had a centre on one wing, a fullback on the other, an overweight halfback and an old man at lock (god bless them all)

Maybe DC could take break and hit the comedy circuit with APV & Jose_Jones, quality looks a little light out there just now :P

Posted 01:20 11th May 2012

turboboy says...

Ridiculous idea to bring Carter into internationals at this stage when Hansen should really have one eye on the WC and preserving such a key player.

Lets get some young players in their now with some experienced players. Aaron Smith is playing great rugby and already has a combination with Cruden from playing together at Manawatu. The midfield, fullback and wing positions are full of choices so again a mix of brains/brawn & youth/experience. Some new look lock combinations now wouldn't be a bad idea. Hansen should not be afraid of losing a game - true AB supporters will tolerate this now but not 6-9months out from a WC. Now is the time for development and patience.

Posted 13:31 10th May 2012

jonesy2 says...

Zandberg- who??

guys, by kicking duties i think its implied that that includes field kicking etc as a fly half on attack.

NHsaints- you would have fruean over conrad, the greatest 13 of the last 7 or 8 years? interesting. quite frankly there are just way too many players to choose from so there is always going to be a gear or a fruean or a guildford miss out, just depends i guess.

Posted 11:28 10th May 2012

Capedcrusader says...

He's playing 12 only because it suits us. It won't suit the AB's & he will wear 10 come test time. We (R&B's) have a bloke who is kicking near 90% accuracy therefore it ain't broke so won't be fixed.

See below

Pain remains an unwelcome companion for Carter during his goal-kicking routines.

Although the swing of his left leg didn't create any noticeable discomfort for Carter when he drilled several shots at goal from about 35 metres yesterday, there remains uncertainty as to whether the greatest points scorer in All Blacks' history will be fit to kick against Ireland next month.

One thing is certain: Carter is still getting grief from the groin injury that prematurely ended his World Cup.

''It is not pain-free, but it is a lot better than the last week or two,'' he admitted.

''I can kick five or 10 [attempts] on a good day."

When Carter returned to kicking a month ago he warned he couldn't hoof the ball long distances and little has changed since.

Any chance of putting a date your return to match kicking, Dan? ''Not really. It is obviously quite dependent on the game, and the workload I get through.''

Crusaders and All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson chirped a similar refrain.

''The hope is if he has a good week then he may be in a position to consider kicking. But from nearly two-weeks out, we don't really want to put a time on it.''

Posted 10:10 10th May 2012

Jose_Jones says...

Unless he is given a chance to recover from injuries properly,.. he's going to have been forced into retirement by the next world cup...

They could always bring Grant Fox out of retirement,.. play him at openside,.. move McCaw to the center which will leave Sonn Bill Williams to coach the squad and practice for the world downhill skiing event in Kittsbuel as something to do between boxing matches,.. Zac Guildford can wave his brown paper bag on the touchline and shouting "your my best mate", while periodically breaking down in tears,...

Posted 08:33 10th May 2012

Carpelone says...

Why can't he play at 10 without kicking duties?

Is he considering another stint in Europe? If so, forcing him to play at 12 would mean that both crusaders and abs can develop a 10. That would make more sense.

Posted 23:33 09th May 2012

isthatrightref says...

If he's not 100% (OK, no-one's ever 100% so say 80%) don't pick him: take him into camp, let Cruden or whoever tap his brain but don't pick him on match day - there are more important games later in the year (apologies to Ireland but it's true) when we'll need him to be as fully-fit as anyone ever is these days.

As for Kahui on the wing or at fullback, why? It's not like we've a shortage of quality players in either position so why not have him on the bench as cover?

Posted 20:42 09th May 2012

NHsaints says...

No...that's a silly Idea, hansen is just afraid to drop carter while he's recovering in case they lose and it's put down to that decision...should start barrett at 10, Williams at 12, Freuan at 13, Ranger 14, Dagg 15 and Jane at 11 then stick Kahui and Nonu on the bench to cover pretty much all the positions...

Posted 18:01 09th May 2012

davodiablo says...

Agree with the previous posts . He should be on the bench or not at all. and SBW or Nonu should be 12. As JW found out to his cost ,playing internationals when not fully fit can prolong the injurys.

Posted 17:45 09th May 2012

Bones7 says...

SBW is in good form. Why not stick him in and let Carter recover properly? Surely playing out of position with a niggling injury isn't going to help his form at all. It's hardly like the cupboards are bare when it comes to quality 10s and 12s in NZ

Posted 15:38 09th May 2012