All Blacks: Carter-Donald switch praised

Stephen Donald is expected to be abrasive and physical in the midfield. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Former All Black utility backs, Matthew Cooper and Jon Preston, have applauded the latest test inside backs combination.

Much of the buildup to yesterday's team announcement concentrated on speculation that Stephen Donald would slip into first five-eighths, with Daniel Carter moving to midfield to cater for the rash of injuries which have hit the squad.

But when coach Graham Henry revealed his side, those roles were reversed, with M'aa Nonu shunted out to centre to cover for the injury defections of Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Tamati Ellison and Richard Kahui.

The five-eighths flip-flop met approval from Cooper and Preston who have provincial allegiances to both men and in their playing days, were used in several positions through the All Black backline.

The pair's rationale centred more on Carter's outstanding repertoire of talent than any dramas about Donald, who they both felt could develop into a useful midfielder.

The former All Black teammates from the 90s believed that Carter was a premium talent, such an outstanding backline director and tactician, that he had to wear the 10 jersey in Saturday's Hamilton test against the Springboks which may decide this year's Tri-Nations title.

Preston, a Cantabrian and All Black, who wore the black jersey at halfback and first five-eighths, claimed Carter had to play as first receiver where he would have far more influence than from midfield.

"Then you can play Donald in midfield, where from what I see, he would be abrasive, physical and have good enough skills while being removed from all the pressure at first receiver," Preston said.

"He is a physical defender and has a tactical kicking game which under pressure, is not always where it could be for someone playing first five-eighths. In midfield he will be under a different repetitive pressure."

The way rugby had developed, Preston said, it was even more crucial to have a first five-eighths who made the right decisions and had a complete set of skills.

"And if the set piece or other parts of the game are not going well, it is even more critical to have a bloke like Carter with the full set of skills who can direct operations as first receiver," Preston said.

Cooper was equally forthright that Carter had to be picked outside halfback Jimmy Cowan.

"It is fundamental. Dan is the world's best in that position at controlling a game and in summing up the requirements for those duties."

There was a midfield dilemma with the injuries and Cooper was comfortable Donald could adjust to those duties. He had not had much experience in that role but he had shown his ability as a sub in Brisbane last year and Sydney this season.

"I think they have made the right decisions by not throwing any new players into the mix for this test, and the Carter-Donald combo gives them a strong left foot-right foot combo.

"They also have the ability to switch around during the game if one is caught out of position or involved in a ruck.

"Nonu will be fine at centre because the 12-13 roles are not too dissimilar. We could well see a dynamic production from him," Cooper suggested.

While he noted that Carter would be a key ingredient for the All Blacks fortunes, he was sure that scrum coach Mike Cron would also be lighting a wick under his forwards to emulate the way the Wallabies troubled the South African scrum last week.