All Blacks: Dan Carter out for two months

Dan Carter will be out for two months with ankle injury. Photo / Getty Images

World class All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter is to undergo ankle surgery on Tuesday, ruling him out of rugby for up to eight weeks.

The surgery means Carter will be unavailable for the All Blacks' final Tri Nations match against Australia in Sydney on September 11 although it is hoped he will recover in time to be named in New Zealand's 30-man squad for their season-ending tour to Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson revealed Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to a high standard.

"However, it's 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," Robinson said.

Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday, 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, who had a mixed Super 14 campaign with the Crusaders before recovering his touch when starting all eight tests for the All Blacks this year, kicked 14 points in this morning's (NZT) 29-22 Tri-Nations defeat of South Africa in Soweto, landing five from nine shots.

He said he was remaining positive about the need for surgery and the resulting layoff from rugby.

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

Robinson said Carter would 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 hoped Carter would return to the top level unscathed.

"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 if the rehabilitation timeframe went to plan, Carter would be available for selection for the All Blacks end of year tour.

"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 (national provincial championship) rugby over the next two weekends and confirm the player in due course."

The obvious options is Manawatu youngster Aaron Cruden, who has backed up Carter all season and played in five tests -- all late appearances off the reserve bench.

Cruden has been released to play for Manawatu in the national provincial championship next weekend so will come under scrutiny from the selectors.

Henry recently said the former age group star would start a test "sooner or later" this year.

- NZPA