All Blacks ace out for eight weeks
Sun, 22 Aug 2010 10:31
A long lay-off for Dan Carter. (c) Gallo
All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter is set to undergo ankle surgery, ruling him out of rugby for up to eight weeks.
The surgery means Carter will be unavailable for the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on 11 September.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to his typical high standard.
"However, it's reached the point now where it is restricting his ankle flexibility and, in turn, affecting his calf muscle strength, so now is the right time to have surgery," Robinson said.
Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday, would involve removing loose material from the joint at the back of his ankle. A bone spur would also be removed from the front of his ankle.
Carter said he was remaining positive about the need for surgery and the resulting lay-off from the game.
"Given that movement in my foot is being affected, it's obviously in my best interests to have the surgery now.
"I've been in this situation before, and understand what is involved, so will get through the surgery and rehab and then look forward to getting back into rugby," he said.
Robinson said Carter would initially be in a cast to allow the ankle joint to settle before he could resume training, with a recovery period of up to eight weeks required.
NZ coach Graham Henry said: "Dan is the ultimate rugby professional when it comes to injury rehabilitation and, with the help of the All Blacks medical staff, he will be getting the best treatment possible and we look forward to his return to the game."
According to Henry, if the rehabilitation time-frame goes according to plan, Carter would be available for selection for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
"Looking ahead to the Sydney Test, the selectors will look at a replacement player for Dan so we will be watching a bit of the NPC over the next two weekends and confirm the player in due course," Henry added.
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