Fans spoken to around Wellington's waterfront ahead of today's All Blacks match were unaware of the bad news when approached by nzherald.co.nz this morning.
"Oh shit, that's a shocker," was Aucklander Damian Jacobs reaction.
"He's the best in the position. I guess we'll see how Colin Slade goes."
"We've still got a team who can win it."
Friend Pete Whitehead agreed, although was not as confident: "We'll see. Miracles can happen."
Despite Aaron Cruden being brought in as cover, the pair felt the coaches should stick with Slade.
"He just has to do the basics," Damian said. " He doesn't have to do the ball running Carter does."
Posing for photos dressed like Batman in the Fan Zone, Lyall Bay man Shane Ford said he would pray for Carter to be okay for the next game.
"Put him in the reserves - he deserves to be there," he said.
Shane favoured Slade over Cruden.
"He's a developing player," he said of Slade.
"He's got guts ... he's not afraid to try things."
"Batman" still believed New Zealand would win the cup.
"Go the Blacks - I know they'll do well."
Applying facepaint by the Wharewaka, Johnie Rutene and Danielle Marlow were shocked when given the news.
"I think it is a bit of a bummer, but it is what it is."
But Johnie was pleased Cruden had been brought into the squad.
"I think he's a lot better than Slade. He's got the x-factor, Cruden brings a different dimension."
However, he favoured half back Weepu starting at 10.
"He's a league guy - he creates space.
"I'm still quite upbeat, I think they'll do well.
"We can't just rely on Ritchie (McCaw) and Dan to win it."
Danielle agreed.
"I think we can still do it without him. He's not the be all and end all."
