Carter ready for Tahs

Editor

The Crusaders received a tremendous boost this week when it was confirmed that All Black flyhalf Dan Carter would be available for the team's final Super 14 warm-up match before their 13th Crusade begins next month.

The Crusaders received a tremendous boost this week when it was confirmed that All Black flyhalf Dan Carter would be available for the team's final Super 14 warm-up match before their 13th Crusade begins next month.

Carter had injured his right calf in pre-season training for the men in red-and-black, but is adamant that he will be ready for the match against what will be a very strong Waratahs outfit on Thursday.

While the ELVs have caused a little confusion for some players and teams thus far, Carter is expected to thrive when on the offensive.

The match against the Waratahs will give him an opportunity to see just how much adapting he still needs to do this season.

“Over the last couple of years teams have been a bit more defence orientated. I will definitely help to set backline moves up, rather than having the defence up on us so quickly,” an excited Carter told The Press this week.

“I have been doing a bit of running, getting physio and lots of calf raises,” added Carter.

“Last week I was running for about 20 to 30 minutes in sessions. I would say I am running up to 80 to 90 per cent of what I am capable of and expect to up be up to 100 soon,” added te confident flyhalf.

Carter said he almost played against the Western Force in Melbourne last week, but opted to rather err on the side of caution.

“It was touch and go that I would play in Melbourne, so it's over almost right,” added Carter.

Meanwhile, wing Caleb Ralph will miss the Waratahs match after suffering whiplash against the Western Force on Saturday night and blindside flanker Reuben Thorne, who is still struggling to shake a calf strain, may not be risked.

Lock Ross Filipo, who will be out for four to six weeks with a neck/shoulder injury, is booked in for an operation in seven days' time. There is a chance he may not go under the scapel if it settles.

Halfback Andy Ellis is making a quick recovery from his injury strain.