Rugby: 'Freakish' injury puts Carter in doubt

All Black first-five Dan Carter has until tomorrow to prove his fitness. Photo / Getty Images

Super rugby's most-prolific points-scorer Dan Carter is in doubt for the Crusaders' Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs in Christchurch on Saturday.

First five-eighth Carter, who advanced his Super points total to a record 1022 in last week's bruising win over the Waratahs, has been named to start but a tightening in the hip-groin area has kept him from training this week.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said today if his first choice playmaker was not completely fit at the captain's run tomorrow then he would be replaced by Auckland draft player, Daniel Bowden, who has not been named in any 22-man squad through the first nine rounds of the campaign.

Blackadder said it was in the best interests of the team's preparation to make a decision tomorrow rather than leaving it until close to kickoff.

"If he's 100 per cent he will be in, if he's not then he will be replaced in the No 10 jersey by Daniel Bowden and we will bring Tu Umaga-Marshall (wider training squad member) onto the bench," Blackadder said after the Crusaders trained today.

"We're unsure whether it's a hip or groin injury - it's almost like a tight adductor and that can affect either area. We'll see how things unfold tomorrow and if he's not right then we are good to go regardless."

Blackadder said the injury was "just freakish".

"He was little bit tight in the area on Tuesday. I don't think it is bad and he hasn't torn anything so it's more precautionary, but he hasn't run at all this week and when he came out to do the warmups he was a little tight so he took pulled himself out of those."

The Crusaders have made five personnel changes to the team who toppled the previous competition-leading Waratahs 20-13 at AMI Stadium last Saturday.

A family bereavement ruled out centre Robbie Fruean and his place has gone to Tim Bateman, who has not been wanted since the second round loss to the Reds. Young wing Zac Guildford gets his first chance to freshen, with Jared Payne taking his place, forcing a shift from the right to left wing.

All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read has also been given the chance to rest a bruised body, with Thomas Waldrom returning at No 8 and rookie lock Sam Whitelock teaming up with veteran Chris Jack in the second row with Brad Thorn on the bench.

Ben Franks replaces younger brother, Owen, at tighthead prop in what Blackadder said was a rotation selection.

Blackadder promised some subtle attacking changes from the Crusaders and also in the contact areas.

"We're looking at this match to relaunch our season. We feel that the ball we're regenerating is too slow and we want to play high-class up-tempo rugby. It's not just about winning, it's the manner in which you do win and we feel we're under-achieving and we have a big performance in us."

The Cheetahs have conceded a hatful of points in their four most recent visits to Christchurch, with the Crusaders racking up more than 50 points three times. The visitors had the final say, however, when they last met in Bloemfontein last year, winning 20-13.

- NZPA