Champion All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter has a cracked calf bone and will likely miss the first four weeks of the Rugby Championship, including the Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies.
Carter picked the injury up in the Crusaders’ loss to the Waratahs in the Super Rugby final in Sydney on Saturday.
The small crack in his upper fibula was revealed in a scan, the Crusaders confirmed on Tuesday.
“The size of the crack meant it was not originally picked up by an X-ray,” a spokeswoman said.
“The injury will require just rest to heal and it is hoped that his recovery will take approximately four weeks.”
It means Carter, 32, will likely miss the first two All Blacks matches of the Rugby Championship.
New Zealand play Australia in Sydney on August 16 and then a week later in Auckland, followed by Argentina in Napier on September 6.
Other All Blacks injured in the final were prop Wyatt Crockett, who hurt his left knee but will be able to train next week, and lock Dominic Bird, who injured his right big toe.
Joe Moody, who is in the squad as injury cover for Tony Woodcock, is recovering well from concussion.
Insomnia
Guest
Trinats..... you are wrong
Bakkies
Roar Guru
Elsom had the hamstrings of an old man when he came back.
Bakkies
Guest
He should have been offered a two year deal when he last signed. The French baulked at his high wage demands anyway. When he played at Perpignan he did his Achilles after a couple of games while on massive money. If he played out that period it was going to be 18 months without a break going straight in to tests after getting back from France. Madness.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Now that is an outstanding offer. I take you up on it. 18 months to go. All they have to do is make the squad and play one game. Believe me I would be very sad to take the moniker long live the wallabies. I suggest for one season only!
Bring back Buck
Guest
I see that they've (not surprisingly) picked Slade as his replacement, but i wish Lima Sopoaga had been picked. He (Sopoaga) is tge best goalkicker in NZ and i reckon could overtake Barrett and Cruden if given the chance
BBA
Guest
The Roar moderators perhaps didnt feel comfortable with you referring to yourself as OJ's +1
The
Roar Rookie
I'm sure we can come to some arrangement. If they dont make it will you change yours to Long Live the Wallabies?
pformagg
Guest
If they both make it to 2015, will you change your screen name to McCaw Is My Hero?
Kane
Guest
I actually wrote +1 put the comment was moderated and changed to concur?
The
Roar Rookie
I have said many times that Carter and McCaw wont make it to 2015 despite being discredited by the kiwis on here. Suddenly it looks more credible, doesn't it?
Rebel
Guest
Motion carried
WQ
Guest
McCaw broke his thumb and Carter has always been plagued by injuries, I am not sure there is to great a connection between these injuries and sabbaticals?
Kane
Guest
I concur.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I'm not sure you can pin broken bones on sabbaticals.
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, there may be some data around this issue. I wonder if it's best to always maintain SOME form of work hardening contact... even if very low level club rugby...
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
McCaw got injured this season straight back from Sabbatical too. There is something to say that one or two club games may not be enough to prepare for the hits of Super rugby. I don't think it's about getting soft but rather going into top level too fast. It's as if he flies back from the Caribbean and turns out for the Crusaders a month later.
Harry Jones
Guest
How many games has Dan Carter missed in the last 5 seasons? Is the sabbatical approach working? Should Cruden or Barrett take the reins?
Dcnz
Guest
Marc Hinton has asked is the dream over. I say not yet.
WQ
Guest
Thank goodness there has been some depth developed at 10! Carter is a big loss and I was looking forward to seeing him back at 10 for the All Blacks.
JMB
Guest
Definitely miss his goal kicking. Cruden and Barrett a little inconsistent with quite limited range too. Both however offer dynamic attacking options.