New Zealand rugby officials were on Monday assessing the crippling injury that has sidelined star flyhalf Dan Carter for at least six months, saying there was no deadline for his return.
All Blacks manager Darren Shand said team doctor Deb Robinson and physio Peter Gallagher had been in touch with Carter and officials at his French club Perpignan after the pivot ruptured his Achilles tendon.
“Dan’s now resting at home in Perpignan and it’s probable that he will need surgery but a full assessment will be made over the next few days,” Shand said in a statement.
The 26-year-old Carter, a 59-Test veteran and 2005 world player of the year, suffered the injury in the dying stages of Perpignan’s 13-13 draw with Stade Francais on the weekend.
“It’s hugely disappointing for Dan,” Shand said.
“He was really enjoying playing in France. He’s getting fantastic support from the Perpignan team who have been really supportive and keeping us well briefed.”
A spokesman for Perpignan, which signed Carter on a six-month deal worth a reported $A70,000 per match, said he would be unavailable for about six months.
The injury came in his first game back after a three-week absence because of an earlier Achilles strain and means he is now doubtful for at least the early stages of the Tri-Nations series.
Shand said Carter could be out for longer than six months.
“As a general rule of thumb, players who suffer a severe Achilles injury are out of rugby for at least six months but it can be longer. Dan will return to rugby when he is ready and we will support him throughout his rehabilitation.”
The New Zealand Rugby Union granted Carter the sabbatical to play in France as part of the contract negotiations which saw him re-sign through to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Nick (KIA)
Guest
I'm an ABs fan and I think this might be good news for us too, assuming surgery and rehab go well. Carter needs a break at least mentally. Everyone's been telling him how great he is, I don't think he's reached performance last seen in 2005. The team isn't one guy. He'll be hungry to get back once he's healed, and ABs will have found at least two new players that can foot it internationally. When was the last time the ABs had a 10 that wasn't world class?
Dan
Guest
I must admit I still haven't seen him play for Perpignan, but anyone who was expecting him to turn their fortunes around over night were kidding themselves. Rugby is the quintessential 'team' game and though individual brilliance can seemingly shine bright, it is almost always contingent on an efficient and functioning pack and backs with good communication and complementary intuition. Bearing in mind the very very short turn around to a long season for Carter and the limited time he has been in France when compared with Canturberry and the All Blacks, I don't think a few less then astonishing games makes him any less the player...
Derm
Roar Guru
Best fly-half in the world...? Not what I saw for the last few weeks. there's a few 10s I'd put ahead of him. Let's hope his assumed rival, Hernandez, didn't put that tackle in on purpose......:)
Sin-ick
Guest
I, for one am excited about the idea of not having him around this year. He wasn't going to be in the S14 anyway, but to have him out for the 3N is great news. He is without a doubt the best flyhalf in the world, and when he is playing anyone other than the Wallabies it is absolutely magical to watch. However we (Aussies) need all the help we can get, and if that means Dan Carter has to suffer a possable career ending injury, then so be it...... Kurtley to 10, Gits to 12...... without Dan Carter, we might be in with a shot.
Dan
Guest
So is this good or bad news? As an ardant wallabies fan I'm pleased at the prospect of our boys not having to face him straight away, but as a fan of great rugby I kinda wish he would be out their casting his spell throughout the S14 and TN.