Rugby World Cup: Carter always starter for Hansen

Dan Carter (left) will take his place with captain Richie McCaw against Argentina on Monday. Photo / Nick Reed

Veteran’s Cup reappearance credit to his determination, reports Patrick McKendry

Among the heavy artillery wheeled out by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen for the team's first World Cup match against Argentina, few will appreciate their place among the starting XV as much as Dan Carter.

Carter, of course, didn't play against the Pumas at the last World Cup in 2011, a quarter-final at Eden Park, because he was beginning the long road to recovery from a ruptured groin suffered the week before in Wellington on the eve of the All Blacks' final pool game against Canada.

The fact that he is here in London at all is credit to his mental toughness and determination to finish his career in black on his own terms.

To mark the occasion, he will set a world record on Monday when he steps out in the cavernous arena that is Wembley Stadium. It will be his 89th start in the No 10 jersey - a landmark (his other 12 starts were at No 12 at the start of his career), and a World Cup record crowd of 90,000 will be there to see him do it.

This will be his 107th test.

The inclusion of the 33-year-old by Hansen is no surprise - the head coach was always going to name his strongest line-up for this match, one of the most popular pool games in the tournament in terms of crowd interest.

There will be tweaking for the next match against Namibia at Olympic Stadium four days after the Pumas game, but it is important for the All Blacks and Hansen to make a statement here as defending champions.

Carter will take his place in a team including veterans Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, skipper Richie McCaw, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

There is youth, too, in the form of right wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, playing in his third test. He is one of 11 of the match-day squad of 23 about to play their first World Cup game.

The team has an average age of 28 and features 1013 test caps in the starting XV and 316 caps on the bench. About the only minor surprise is that Hansen has gone with no lock cover on the bench against what will be a physical and tough Argentine pack. Luke Romano has missed out to loose forward Victor Vito there.

"We're all itching to get started and with 11 of the 23 players about to take part in their first Rugby World Cup match, there's real excitement, enthusiasm and hunger in the group. We all can't wait for our tournament to start," Hansen said.

"We've had a wonderful reception here in London. The boys have really enjoyed connecting with our fans and this wonderful city.

"But the business is about to start and we're all looking forward to that because, after all, that's why we're here.

"We've selected what we believe is a very strong team.

"We have the utmost respect for Argentina who we know a lot more about now because of their involvement in the Rugby Championship. But it also means they know a lot more about us."

Hansen added: "We will need to be at our very best to get our tournament away to a good start. We've had a great preparation and there will be no excuses for not performing on Sunday."

After a long build-up, the phoney war is over. Let the battle commence.