Carter targets early comeback
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:12
Dan Carter faces plenty of pool time over the next few weeks. (c) Gallo
Dan Carter's ankle surgery was declared a success on Wednesday and the All Blacks star looks set to miss just one international game.
Carter underwent surgery on Tuesday on the long-term injury, after the All Blacks wrapped up this year's Tri-Nations championship with a 29-22 victory over South Africa last weekend.
He had been troubled by the ankle for more than three months and it started to become more of an aggravation towards the end of the Super 14 competition.
"I will miss [just] one international game, all going well," said Carter, referring to the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations game against Australia in Sydney on September 11.
"Obviously the bigger picture is next year [the World Cup] and I'm just concentrating on getting it done and doing the rehab and bouncing back from that."
The Kiwis get their year-end tour underway when they play Australia in Hong Kong on October 30.
They then embark on an attempt to win another 'Grand Slam' - with Tests against England (November 7), Scotland (November 14), Ireland (November 21) and Wales (November 28).
However, Carter's operation has opened the door for youngster Aaron Cruden to make his first Test start - against the Wallabies next month.
Kiwi coach Graham Henry admitted as much this week, explaining that as Carter's understudy he deserved a shot at the No.10 shirt.
"We're looking forward to him getting that opportunity; we think he's [Cruden] a talented young player," Henry told stuff.co.nz.
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