While New Zealanders wait nervously to see if Colin Slade can steer them to Rugby World Cup glory, the All Blacks have given the young flyhalf their full support before Sunday’s quarter-final with Argentina at Eden Park.
The full glare of New Zealand’s intense rugby spotlight has been on Slade since last Sunday, when the nation was shocked by the news that Dan Carter was out of the tournament after a tendon tear in his groin.
Without the world’s best flyhalf and the all-time highest scorer in Test rugby, the tournament hosts took a major hit to their confidence in trying to end a 24-year World Cup drought.
Few were fully convinced the Highlanders playmaker was still the ideal replacement when, hours later, he gave a solid performance in the pivotal position in the 79-15 pool win over Canada.
Even scrumhalf Piri Weepu, who shared the kicking duties with Slade against Canada, admitted he bought into the speculation that he might be played at flyhalf against the Pumas.
Slade said he’s avoided newspapers and TV this week while his countrymen have debated his merits and otherwise.
“It’s an opportunity I’ve got to think positively about,” Slade said. “I can’t be burdened by (replacing Carter) because at the end of the day I’ve got to be excited about it.
“It’s what every young fellow dreams of I suppose, to play in a World Cup, albeit through the disappointment of DC’s injury.
“I’m a young guy but I’m pretty enthusiastic about it and pretty excited about the opportunity. I’m going out there to be me, I’m not going out there to be DC. I’m going to play my game and lead the team the best way I know how.”
His teammates and coach Graham Henry were confident Slade’s best will be good enough on Sunday, a day before his 24th birthday.
Henry said Slade, as flyhalf, will have to be the navigator of the team.
“He’s got to run the ship … and that’s a big ask when he’s playing with guys who have played 100 Test matches and 85 Test matches, and he’s played nine,” Henry said.
“But I think he’s getting more comfortable, I think he’s enjoying the environment, and I think he’ll play well.”
The 52-capped Conrad Smith, who will be beside Slade in midfield, said they have an abiding trust in new players who’re picked for the All Blacks, and Slade has already proved himself to the team.
“You’ve got to have faith in them and that way, if they’re good enough, they’ll return the favour,” Smith said.
Fullback Mils Muliaina, who will celebrate his 100th Test on Sunday, said Slade would get out of Carter’s shadow by playing his own way.
“He’s training well, his preparation is going really well and we’ve just got to get in behind him and back what he’s got,” Muliaina said.
Even though Henry declined to say who between Slade and Weepu would replace Carter as goalkicker, Slade said he was making the usual preparations to be the kicker.
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