Ruled out: Dan Carter
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All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter has been forced to pull out of Saturday's Test against Argentina after suffering a calf strain.
The ace playmaker was withdrawn from the side just hours after the team was announced on Thursday.
Coach Steve Hansen said Carter had been carrying a tight left calf in training during the week but had hoped to play.
"However, at training this morning it was apparent that he would not be able to play so we have done the sensible thing and withdrawn him from the Test match," Hansen said.
Aaron Cruden will now start in the 10 jersey, with Beauden Barrett, who made his Test debut against Ireland in June, called on to the bench.
It will be the 23-year-old Cruden's 13th Test but just his fifth start as he continues to benefit from injuries.
He was called up during last year's World Cup when Carter was injured and came on against Argentina in the quarter-finals when then fly-half understudy Colin Slade was injured.
New Zealand (revised): 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Ben Smith.
Comments
SACanuck says...
Resting a few guys this week in preparation for next week!!!!
Posted 11:29 06th September 2012
bigb6969 says...
Cheating kiwis, you mean winning Kiwis. Aaron Cruden has never been on a losing test side. His record is 12 wins from 12 games.
(Only person with a better record is Corey Flynn has 15 straight wins, no loses. A record !)
Posted 11:19 06th September 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ Trinats - It doesn't make any difference to the tackle count whether the Quadestile has one, two or no legs.
Posted 11:03 06th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
I heard he strained it polishing the Bledisloe.
Its wise for NZ to select fully fit players now we're into the harder matches.
Posted 10:34 06th September 2012
spike19 says...
georgesmith what are you on about? if anything its worse for Argentina Carter has been operating at 60% for some time now and although that is still head and shoulders above most other 10s Cruden has been outstanding this year and the form 10 in Super Rugby. Barrett is also a seriously classy operator and besides that fierce Allblack pack could make Morne Styen look good!!!!
Posted 10:22 06th September 2012
Kiwiingermany says...
Without the rugby league player the backline should go well this week even if Carter has been forced to pull out.
Posted 10:05 06th September 2012
jonesy2 says...
likely they get to replace the best fly half of all time with the best fly half in the world in 2012.
Posted 09:39 06th September 2012
startledwombat says...
Trinats2
such trolling is out of character for you. Relax mate! The Wallabies wouldn't have been nilled if they'd taken the shots at goal, at least they had a go.
I know it's galling to see such depth in NZ rugby that the Kiwis don't need to bring out the blokes in wheelchairs, with broken legs, etc etc. But currently that's just the way it is.
Posted 09:31 06th September 2012
kahui says...
trinats ur an idiot and ur point makes no sense as cooper is a kiwi any way
Posted 09:28 06th September 2012
porridge_time says...
Straw clutching again Trintas... nevermind all will be good in Perth on Sat nigh when the Wobblies defeat the Headless Boke by 3-0.
Posted 09:24 06th September 2012
kinsman says...
@Trinats, that probably explains Coopers performance...
Posted 09:16 06th September 2012
Trinats2 says...
Cheating kiwis again !!! why can't they say they are just resting him !!!
"carrying a tight left calf in training" Maybe his sock was too tight.
Even Cooper plays on with a broken leg, toughen up Kiwis !!!
Posted 08:42 06th September 2012
georgesmith says...
Now this is very interesting. A boost for the Pumas. Snif, snif, sniff... JMH. Lobbe
Posted 08:22 06th September 2012
Ferdie says...
barrett has been with the team since sunday, and been with them pre both tests v australia, shouldn't be too much an interruption of service with cruden and bb at 10
Posted 08:00 06th September 2012