Wynne Gray: Carter will have to prove he's up with the play on return

Daniel Carter walks off injured, against South Africa, during the Rugby Championship test match between the All Blacks and South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

We are in limbo about Dan Carter's rugby future.

The five-eighths' great career is on hold at 100 tests after he hobbled out of the test against England at Twickenham into an early sabbatical.

A muddled season during which he started in six of the 14 All Black tests and was subbed or replaced in five had come to an early finish.

Achilles tendon, shoulder, hamstring, hand and calf injuries have blocked Carter's flow. It has been a pattern in the past three years with him playing 21 of the last 40 tests.

Everyone has a theory about what's next. Carter has decided on a rest and reconstruction programme to return his body to peak shape to better cope with his sport.

He needs time out, and has a sketchy plan to return to Super rugby after the June test interval.

In his mind, he is getting in peak trim for a bit more time at the top.

"I'm not taking a break just to get to the World Cup," he said. "I want longevity, I want to play for a few years after the World Cup."

Naturally, coach Steve Hansen is supporting Carter's move, saying the flexible approach is the only sensible choice if Carter is to have a few more years as the All Blacks' director.

But Carter's absence opens up other possibilities.

Tom Taylor, Colin Slade and Tyler Bleyendaal will get their chances to play five-eighths for the Crusaders in what for Taylor and Slade should be an extended audition for places in the national squad.

If they play strongly and the Crusaders catch fire, the opportunities for Carter to resume as playmaker in the run towards the playoffs will be reduced. He may have to be used in another position or perhaps from the bench.

The work of Aaron Cruden with the Chiefs and Beauden Barrett with the Hurricanes will also be strong factors in the season selections.

Both have been regular picks in the All Black squad. Cruden has stacked up 29 tests and Barrett has been a spark in most of his 16 internationals.

Barrett has been promised more time at five-eighths for the Hurricanes, and his work directing the side will come in for particular All Black scrutiny.

Another strong Super 15 programme and the knowledge that Carter will not figure in June should give them extra conviction about their place in the side.

They are a pair of gifted five-eighths who would dominate the starting duties for most other rugby nations.

Strong work from both, and equal form from Taylor in Super rugby, will give the All Black selectors a knotty problem with Carter if he has barely played before the Rugby Championship. They know Carter is class, and rosy fitness reports alongside his glittering playing history won't be ignored. They went through a similar process with Richie McCaw this year but challenges from Sam Cane and Matt Todd were not as compelling as a cluster of proven five-eighths might muster next year.