All Blacks: NZ told to 'man up' over DanCarter

New Zealand has been told to man up and move on from Dan Carter's Rugby World Cup-ending groin injury.

In his column yesterday, award-winning Daily Mail sports journalist Martin Samuel wrote of his astonishment at New Zealand's response to the news that the All Blacks' pivotal player was injured and would be out for the rest of the World Cup.

"People were taking strength from community, observers announced, in grave tones," wrote Samuel.

His column was littered with images of the sombre front pages of New Zealand's newspapers after the confirmation from team management that Carter was out.

The 85-test veteran tore a tendon in his groin while goalkicking during training on Saturday.

Samuel quoted Gary McGregor, the captain of Southbridge Rugby - Carter's first club - who said "it has hit us like another earthquake".

Samuel wrote: "And as New Zealand awoke to - whoa, hold it right there. Back up a moment, will you? It's hit you like what? An earthquake? It's a groin injury pal. Athletes get them. Sure, the timing sucks and nobody who truly cares for sport feels anything less than a sense of crushing disappointment that Carter, the greatest rugby player in the world, will miss the rest of the competition. But get real.

"Nobody died here; lives were destroyed metaphorically not literally. This wasn't Christchurch, February 22, 2010 (sic): 181 dead and a city in ruins. Yes, it must have been poignant when Carter removed his pass and left The Spencer on Byron Hotel an official outsider at a competition made for his majesty, but this pain is temporary.

"Man up, New Zealand. Man up and move on."

Samuel went on to suggest that Carter's absence struck at the heart of New Zealand's fear of another World Cup choke.

"Worse, it almost gives the team the excuse. Will they take it?" he asked.

Samuel was not alone in his request that the nation get over it.

Carter himself said so at a press conference on Monday.

"I encourage everyone to move on. I have, and I'm obviously pretty disappointed, but I'm now here to help the team and I think that's what everyone should [do], move on too."