One-eyed foresight

Sports broadcaster Murray Deaker wrote most of his book Henry's All Blacks before the Rugby World Cup. In these edited extracts, he prophetically worries about the team's reliance on superstar Daniel Carter, and outlines how the All Blacks have worked to overcome "choking" in big games. Hmmm...

History signalled loud and clear to Graham Henry that one of the most important jobs on his list was to find a world-class number 10 to help him win the 2007 World Cup. If Henry could have been granted one wish, he would have wished for a player that walked, talked and played rugby like Dan Carter.

Henry has been lucky to have some very talented players play under him, but no one has ever been as complete as Dan Carter. Carter simply has everything speed, agility, a brilliant kicking game, a crisp pass, a lovely fend and, most importantly, a cool rugby brain.

(But) the biggest concern for All Black supporters quickly became whether the All Blacks under Graham Henry were too reliant on Carter. What would they do if he was injured before or during the World Cup?

A preview of that prospect came in the third Lions test (in 2005), when Carter was unable to play due to a shoulder injury. Initially, Leon MacDonald was the preferred back-up, but he was ruled out the Wednesday of the match with a groin injury. Next in line was Luke McAlister, who performed with distinction as Carter's replacement, with Nick Evans sitting on the bench that day as a further back-up.

The frightening prospect of life without Carter was again brought home to Henry during the 2005 Tri-Nations campaign, when Carter broke his leg in the All Blacks' 30-13 win over Australia in Sydney. Once again Leon MacDonald was used as the first-five replacement for the two remaining tests. This proved to be a poor choice by the All Black selection panel, with no real progress made towards a long-term back-up for Carter. The only thing that was confirmed was that MacDonald was not a viable replacement, having had his kicks charged down for important tries two weeks in a row.

Nick Evans was given a couple of opportunities to start in the number 10 jersey on the end-of-year tour, and showed he had the potential to become Carter's back-up for the world cup. However, right throughout 2006 Carter's possible replacements continued to be given minimal game time and, apart from the first two tests of the year, where he was rested completely, Carter started every test.

Carter produced one of the standout moments of the 2006 All Blacks season when he kicked a 61-metre penalty goal just before halftime in the 45-26 win over South Africa. It remains one of the longest successful penalty kicks by an All Black of all time. A delightful story emerged after the match, which highlights the spirit that makes this All Blacks team tick. When the penalty was awarded, Carter was unsure. Luke McAlister came up to him and said, "Go on, DC. Have a go. You're all over it, mate."

With Carter's career needing to peak in 2007, the conditioning period appeared to hamper his momentum. He struggled with his entry into Super 14 rugby, like so many of his team-mates who also sat out the first half of the competition. In part his return was hampered by a niggling neck injury that at one stage threatened to keep him out of the Crusaders' semifinal against the Bulls. While he did play the match, he failed to make the same impact he had previously on other crucial matches during his short but illustrious career.

Come test time, injury again hampered Carter and he was replaced at halftime in the first test of the year, against France. He missed the following match and, despite a three-try haul against Canada, confessed after that match that he needed to lift his game for the Tri-Nations to come.

DC had a patchy Tri-Nations series. He appeared to be struggling for form, and when he came back looked to be carrying an injury.

- © Fairfax NZ News