Carter recalled to All Blacks squad

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.