KEY POINTS:
EDINBURGH - At least one All Black is unperturbed at the prospect of player rotation on New Zealand's Grand Slam rugby tour, providing it enables him to revert to his rightful starting position.
Daniel Carter made little secret of his desire to reclaim the playmaker's role when chosen for internationals against the four Home Unions after starting Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup test in midfield.
Playing second fiddle at second five-eighth did not sit comfortably with Carter, who moved one out to facilitate Stephen Donald's first start in a test match.
Graham Henry's tactic of playing two "navigators" against Australia was not an unequivocal success and notably the All Blacks only pulled clear of the Wallabies once Carter was back at the helm - though the resurgence was also associated with an improved effort from the forwards.
The end result of Carter's half hour at No 10 was a 19-14 victory and a realisation first five-eighth is where the 2005 International Rugby Board player of the year should take the field in the northern hemisphere.
Donald's performance was far from debilitating but when he was replaced by Ma'a Nonu in the 50th minute, the All Blacks looked more penetrative and Carter more at home.
"It was worth a try, but I definitely think long term 10 is my position and that's where I want to cement my spot.
"It was good to sort of take a step back - my week was a bit cruisier at 12, you don't need to lead the team so much.
"In those terms I enjoyed it a bit but it was a pretty tough week too, adjusting when you're used to directing the show and then having to take a position one out to let Steve do it."
Carter started his rugby career outside the likes of Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer and it had been four years since he started a test anywhere other the pivot.
The Donald-Carter axis helped save the day in Brisbane last month but Australia were wise to the tactic at Hong Kong Stadium and succeeded in blunting their effectiveness in the first half.
And Carter insisted it was no fault of the Waikato and Chiefs playmaker.
"The Wallabies just played extremely well and shut us down.
"My job going into first five-eighths was made a lot easier because we were finally getting go-forward ball."
Meanwhile, Carter and his teammates were starting their acclimatisation process in the UK today, trading a sultry Hong Kong for a frigid Edinburgh, venue of the test against Scotland on Saturday (SunNZT).
The Scots appear the opponent least likely to trouble New Zealand though last weekend's exercise in Hong Kong indicated the post Tri-Nations-winning All Blacks are some way from recapturing their form.
But thankfully for Carter, the team still managed to find ways to win.
"We have done that a couple of occasions this season. Once again our character and heart got us through."
Carter said those qualities would be needed again in the UK and Ireland, labelling matches against Scotland, Ireland, Heineken Cup champions Munster plus Wales and England as daunting.
"A Grand Slam is always a tough challenge and you do have to grind out wins."
Whether Carter will be involved against Scotland will be apparent tomorrow (10pmTuesNZT) when Graham Henry names his 22-man squad.
It is likely to contain several changes from the starting line-up in Hong Kong and given what are perceived as tougher challenges after Murrayfield, more test debutants could join Wellington duo Hosea Gear and Cory Jane, who made their debuts in the Bledisloe Cup finale.
Hawke's Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot was to join the tour party in London as a replacement for Andrew Hore, while fullback Mils Muliaina is expected to arrive in time to be considered for the Irish test in Dublin after being granted parental leave.
The All Blacks were to hold their first training run in Edinburgh later today (NZT) and have a contingency to practice indoors if the weather is too severe.
- NZPA
