Carter out of rugby for 6-12 weeks

Dan Carter

All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter has been ruled out of rugby for at least six weeks with a leg injury which could see him miss the Grand Slam tour of Europe.

The injury, diagnosed today as a fractured fibula, was incurred late in the All Blacks' 30-13 Tri-Nations defeat of Australia in Sydney on Saturday. He also sustained "significant damage" to deep muscles and other tissues in his calf.

Carter will miss the remaining Tri-Nations tests against South Africa in Dunedin (August 27) and Australia in Auckland (September 3).

The outstanding young pivot could also be ruled out of the All Blacks' season-ending Grand Slam tour, which takes in tests against Wales, England, Ireland and Scotland.

A New Zealand Rugby Union Statement said the injury could keep him sidelined for "up to 12 weeks", meaning he couldn't play until mid-November.

The All Blacks will leave for the tour in late October and play their first test against Wales at Cardiff on November 5.

All Blacks doctor Graham Paterson said Carter's left leg would be immobilised and he would be confined to bed rest. Surgery was unlikely.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry was in Sydney and unavailable for comment today.

It is not clear whether a replacement player will be called into the Tri-Nations squad. The squad reassembles in Dunedin on Sunday.

The leading candidates to replace Carter in the next test against the Springboks are Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister, both of whom are more specialised at second five-eighth.

Mauger moved in one spot from second five-eighth to replace Carter for the last 11 minutes of Saturday's test, with McAlister coming off the reserve bench to play second five.

McAlister started the third test against the Lions last month at first five-eighth when Carter was injured but Mauger was also unavailable for that game.

Whoever took the role was also likely to inherit the goalkicking duties from Carter. 

It was hoped the injury was only severe bruising but x-rays and a scan in Christchurch today proved otherwise.

Carter's absence has a greater impact on the All Blacks than most other players because depth at first five-eighth is currently thin following the departure to English club rugby of veterans Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer.

Carter, 23, one of the best young talents in the world game, produced a breath-taking performance including a 33-point haul in the second test defeat of the Lions in Wellington last month.

He missed the third test with injury and was below his best in the first two Tri-Nations tests.

A standout performer for Canterbury and the Crusaders in a variety of backline positions over the past three seasons her played second five-eighth for his first 14 tests.

Carter was successfully shifted to first five-eighth on last year's season-ending tour to Europe and has amassed 315 points from his 22 tests.

- NZPA