Dan Carter has cautioned against unrealistic expectations after being recalled to the All Blacks’ Tri Nations rugby squad on Monday.
New Zealand have failed to flatter this season and successive losses to the Springboks have placed in jeopardy their grip on the Tri Nations title.
The All Blacks selectors have recalled the Canterbury first five-eighth after he played one club match and two games for his province since snapping his Achilles six months ago.
Carter said one person could not change a team’s fortunes.
“It is a team performance,” said Carter, whose thoughts were echoed by All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith.
“He is not the cavalry riding over the hill to save us,” Smith told New Zealand’s TV3 News.
Carter has quickly found his feet in his two Air NZ Cup outings for Canterbury, particularly last Saturday when he scored all 22 of the team’s points in their win over Auckland.
Smith has been surprised at how quickly the experienced pivot has returned to form.
“His ability to break, and the speed that he has got, has been a surprise to me, having seen that sort of injury before.”
Carter will join the All Blacks for a one-day camp in Auckland on Wednesday before playing for Canterbury against Waikato in Christchurch on Friday night.
New Zealand’s next Tri Nations Test is against Australia in Sydney on August 22, an assignment Carter described as a “huge step up from what I have experienced in the last three weeks”.
“If I get the opportunity that would be great but it would be extremely tough.”
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Carter was keen to rejoin the national side.
“He is a key member of the All Blacks, has recovered well from his injury and has made a great return to rugby so now is the right time to bring him back into the squad,” Henry said.
Lock Tom Donnelly has also been called into the squad, providing cover for Bryn Evans, who is under an injury cloud.
All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said Evans had reported pain in his back and leg and withdrew from the Hawke’s Bay team to play Wellington last Saturday.
“Bryn will be having a scan today so we can see what the long-term prognosis will be,” Robinson said.
Wellington’s Tamati Ellison, who has been with the squad as cover, will also attend the Auckland camp together with Isaia Toeava, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.
The 26-strong squad for Sydney is to be finalised on Saturday.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says it’s “purely coincidental” that Semipeni Finau has put on a massive, late hit on a fourth fly-half in nine…
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
I well remember the day a New Zealand Rugby staffer put their hands on me. It seems I’d made them angry.The Wellington Sevens was…
