Injury problems may force the All Blacks to play Dan Carter out of his accustomed position of flyhalf against South Africa in the September 12 Tri-Nations Test.
Widely considered the world’s best flyhalf, Carter may move out to inside centre if a combination tried at a one-day All Black training camp in Christchurch Wednesday is any guide.
Carter, who only returned to the All Blacks from a long injury lay-off in their 19-18 win over Australia in Sydney on August 22, played at inside centre during much of the training session, with Stephen Donald at flyhalf.
Inside centre Luke McAlister and outside centre Conrad Smith were both injured in Sydney and are expected to miss the last two Tri-Nations matches, with Ma’a Nonu likely to take over the number 13 jersey.
All Black coach Graham Henry was not giving much away about the likely backline for the Test against the Springboks, who have already had two home victories against New Zealand during this year’s series.
”We’re just trying to pick the best team for this Test match. Dan can play 12 as we all know,” Henry told reporters.
”He played 12 for quite a lot of the game against Australia in Sydney [after Smith’s injury].”
Henry said the All Blacks are focusing on improving their lineouts and scrums in their bid to beat the Springboks.
”We just have to be good at the set-piece. We were flakey at set-piece, particularly in the lineouts, in South Africa and if we don’t do that in this Test it’s going to be very difficult,” Henry said.
If Australia lose to South Africa in Brisbane in their Tri-Nations Test on Saturday, the Springboks will be assured of winning the series and ending the All Blacks’ four-year reign as Tri-Nations champions.
But the outcome will have little bearing on how the All Blacks approach their Test against the Springboks the following week, captain Richie McCaw said.
”You’re still playing a Test match against South Africa. We’ll be doing everything we can to win the game,” he told reporters.
”We realise we’ve got a big game against the Springboks regardless of whether they win this weekend or what the state of play is in the Tri-Nations, so we’ll be looking forward to that.” — AFP
