Carter Gooooooonnnnnnnnneeeeee

[barbarian]

Gives us a sniff in Sydney.

Dan Carter sidelined for two months after surgery decision

Dan Carter will be out of rugby for two months.

The All Blacks first-five is to undergo ankle surgery ruling him out of rugby and it means he will be unavailable for the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on September 11.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to play for the Crusaders and All Blacks each week.

But Robinson said he injury had got too bad for him to continue as he is.

"It has reached the point now where it is restricting his ankle flexibility and, in turn, affecting his calf muscle strength, so now is the right time to have surgery," Dr Robinson said.

Dr Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday afternoon, would involve removing loose material from the joint at the back of his ankle. A bone spur would also be removed from the front of his ankle.

Carter has had his fair share of injuries over the years, but was positive about this latest setback.

"Given that movement in my foot is being affected, it's obviously in my best interests to have the surgery now," Carter said.

"I've been in this situation before and understand what is involved so will get through the surgery and rehab and then look forward to getting back into rugby," he said.

Carter will initially be in a cast to allow the ankle joint to settle before he could resume rugby training, with a recovery period of up to eight weeks required.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said it's the right call for Carter to have the operation at this time.

"Dan is the ultimate rugby professional when it comes to injury rehabilitation and, with the help of the All Blacks medical staff, he will be getting the best treatment possible and we look forward to his return to rugby," Henry said.

Henry said if the rehabilitation timeframe went to plan Carter would be available for selection for the All Blacks end of year tour to Hong Kong and the northern hemisphere.

"Looking ahead to the Sydney test, the selectors will look at a replacement player for Dan so we will be watching a bit of ITM Cup rugby over the next two weekends and confirm the player in due course," Henry added.

It means Aaron Cruden is almost certain to start in Sydney with his back up possibly being Colin Slade or Stephen Brett.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...hs-after-surgery-decision-20100822-13app.html

 

[chief]

Carter was gonna be benched anyways. Cruden was gonna get a crack.

 

[#1 Tah]

Should the thread icon be changed to a thumbs up? I think so! (Y)

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

It'll be interesting to see if any of the other options (like Cruden) are up to the job. The AB's wanna hope that nothing serious happens to Carter or McCaw in the next 12 months.

Still, it creates an opportunity for someone and knowing the AB's system, whoever steps in will probably do a good job. The bastards

 

[Lee Grant]

As one who is going to the game I would rather that Carter be playing though it obviously improves our chances. There are only so many games that one can see great players play in and they are to be savoured.

If I was watching it on TV I would give a rat's.

 

[Hawko]

The game in Sydney is our third game in three weeks with a west-east trip in the middle. I think we will be so fatigued that we will be easy meat for NZ. Our best chance for a test win against them this year is in Hong Kong

 

[en_force_er]

You would have to go with Weepu. I mean, Cruden is certainly a player of the future but it seems the ABs have caught a bit of Wallaby-itis and rushed a promising young player into the big leagues too early.

The good thing about giving Piri some serious time in the 10 jersey is he can put the nay-sayers to rest and prove he will more than adequately back up there for the WC.

 

[AussieDominance]

Cruden is not up to the physicality of a Super 14 game let alone a Test Match.

 

[Viking]

Id put McAlister in!

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

McAlister hasn't really set the place alight since he's come back though, has he?

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Please god, no McAlister. Cruden to start, Weepu on the bench to cover I reckon.

If he's got the goods, then he should go well enough to keep us in the hunt. Very disappoint for QC (Quade Cooper) though surely, will need to wait even longer to face the AB's with our number one oppposite 10! Gotta be disappointing.

 

[en_force_er]

Cruden is not up to the physicality of a Super 14 game let alone a Test Match.

Well, I'm not one to judge a book by it's cover but it would certainly appear that way.

McAlister has been a non-event at 2nd 5/8 in the NPC, him playing in the All Blacks at 10 would be a gift to any opposition.

 

[Gnostic]

The game in Sydney is our third game in three weeks with a west-east trip in the middle. I think we will be so fatigued that we will be easy meat for NZ. Our best chance for a test win against them this year is in Hong Kong

Our best and only chance was in Melbourne. If (and it is likely) that the Wallabies fail to win in SA then lose in Sydney what are the chances Deans will fall on his sword (or get pushed)? In this event it would have to be the worst performance of the national team since 1995 considering the very forgetable win over Ireland and the loss to England.

 

[Aussie D]

Our best and only chance was in Melbourne. If (and it is likely) that the Wallabies fail to win in SA then lose in Sydney what are the chances Deans will fall on his sword (or get pushed)? In this event it would have to be the worst performance of the national team since 1995 considering the very forgetable win over Ireland and the loss to England.

1995 or 2005? I can't remember the Wallabies playing Ireland in '95 (World Cup? end of Year Tour?) but remember they lost to England with Rob Andrew's drop goal.

 

[RugbyReg]

1995 or 2005? I can't remember the Wallabies playing Ireland in '95 (World Cup? end of Year Tour?) but remember they lost to England with Rob Andrew's drop goal.

yeah we didn't play Ireland in 95, but I think he's talking this year.

 

[Muttonbird]

...what are the chances Deans will fall on his sword (or get pushed)? In this event it would have to be the worst performance of the national team since 1995...

Agreed - but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

 

[Gnostic]

Maybe not a silk purse but at least a Kangaroo scrotum coin purse would be a start.