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Carter out of Romania clash
September 28, 2007
New Zealand star fly-half Dan Carter is to miss the final World Cup group match on Saturday against Romania and is also in doubt for the quarter-final in Cardiff on Saturday week because of a painful calf. (and hopefully the semis...)
The 25-year-old has been replaced by Luke McAlister while All Blacks record try scorer Doug Howlett moves onto the bench. "Carter felt tightness in his left calf following Thursday's training and, after consulting the All Blacks medical team on Friday morning, withdrew from the line-up," the All Blacks said. "His availability for the All Blacks quarter-final will be re-assessed early next week."
All Blacks coach Graham Henry claimed that the absence of Carter - who was a bit off colour last Sunday against the Scots missing several kicks - would not affect the team's tactics.
"Luke is an experienced first-five at test level. This will add to our options at the position while we take a sensible approach to Dan's calf strain," said Henry, who is bidding to guide the All Blacks to their first Webb Ellis trophy since the inaugural edition in 1987.
"Our goal through the pool round is to give game time to as many of our 30-man squad as possible. Dan has played two matches already so this has a pretty minor effect on our strategy."
Nevertheless while missing the Romania match should be of little import, the All Blacks would feel the absence of Carter in their quarter-final where they could well meet hosts France.
Henry opted not to move his other possibility at fly-half Nick Evans from fullback, where he is filling in for injured duo Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald.
AAP