Carter still waits for form worm to turn

Dan Carter. Photo / Getty Images.

Sometimes it's not your day, the game does not run for you or play seems to be on the other side of the field.

Go looking for action and it shifts to another area.

That looked to be the case last night for Daniel Carter who is trying to find some run of form to allay his mind and those of the national selectors. Once more he played second five eighths for the Crusaders outside Colin Slade without much impact.

His most obvious appearance came at the halftime television interview after he'd distributed steadily and held his channel in the defensive line. Attacking chances did not come near him.

Carter knows those opportunities will come and there will be times when he can create for others. But that lack of involvement will be tearing at the mind of the greatest post-war All Black five eighths.

He wasn't even asked to do the goal kicking - that job went to Slade as well and he is in such strong all-round form there's no chance he'll relinquish his role as backline director.

So Carter has to wait for the form worm to turn. He knows that feeling, he remembers that burn but for him, rugby is a game of patience and persistence right now.

At least he felt what a win was like after successive defeats. At least he lasted the game unlike fellow veteran Richie McCaw who was led away after being concussed attempting a tackle on Lolani Visinia.