Dan Carter ruled out of home Tests

Cruden was great and I want him to be. It's just he's 35-odd tests in - admittedly with no long, unbroken run - yet there's still has a question mark over him, as evidenced by the number of "Carter would have won us that game" comments after B1.

Did you not watch the weekends game? Cruden was one of the most influential players on the paddock. Carter has not torn a game open since the World cup. He still has a great mind on him but he is not creating like he used to he is purely playing a distributing role with a tactical boot. Like i said, the All Blacks don't play that long kicking game anymore they contest highball coming out of their danger zone. I'm not saying he is not good anymore i'm saying he doesn't offer this current All Black side and gameplan more then Cruden and Barret do. Factor in the constant disruptions he will cause considering his body is broken and i really don't see Dan Carter being a major influence for the All Blacks from now till the World cup. I'd rather Cruden and Barret continue to develop because chances are Carter wont be available anyway.

Tinfoil Hat - depends what you mean by vastly more. The vast majority of the world cares about neither sport (i,e China, India, USA, most of Africa, Most of Europe, most of South America, etc....)

I can and agree with oj that he was solid, nothing more nothing less.

Is number 7 blindside in Argentina, same as SA? And if so, was that Lobbe you were referring to? Caught glimpses of the 2nd game but he seemed to be playing quite well. Didn't he get dropped as captain? Seems odd.

Vastly more people play and are interested in union than league, despite what your little unsupported internet list says. A brief comparison of the RWC vs RLWC makes that clear. The author doesn't even say what is the basis for determining popularity, let alone provide references to the data he is using.

Didn't his last-minute drop goal win us the 2nd game vs Ireland in 2012? And he was magnificent in the 1st game vs France at the world cup from memory

So far Team of RC: 1-3 ARG 4-5 NZ Blindside ARG Openside SA 8 SA 9 NZ 10 ARG 12 ARG 13 NZ 11 NZ 14 SA 15 SA

No one?

Well according to the link below, Rugby is 6th and Rugby league is 8th. So, as I said, not a huge difference. http://www.tsmplug.com/top-10/most-popular-team-sports-in-the-world/

Justin you've been around the roar for a long time. I expect a better appreciation from you by now on how to assess and value a players overall worth to the team effort and subtle off the ball plays that lead and enable other on ball plays. Even the man's presence created indecision within the Aussie camp... I expect you to be able to assess all of that.

I would also rate him about a 6. He took a heavy knock early on and it looked like he might leave the field, but he stayed on and was solid.

The King played for Australia in school boys rugby. All his greatness came from rugby.

Kuruki, you're starting to sound like Jereme Lane on the Conrad Smith thread... I think the way he helped turn around the dysfunctional Crusaders backline from the midfield shows he still has those fine touches that separate the good from the great. Cruden has performed well in Carter's absences but using your point, I can't really think of any masterclasses he's put on (apart from one against the European teams (maybe Ireland?).

Cruden was sublime this match, I agree. But I also believe that if we'd had DC at the helm last week, we would still be on our record run. DC that much better at the kicking, thinking game, and can still play well behind a sub standard pack performance.

Oooooooh,Steffon has expressed interest in playing for France! Fantastic! Hes a fantastic player. Dusautoir, Picamoles and Armitage as a backrow! Pretty good.

The centres are looking strong for the WC though. Kahui, SBW, Nonu, Crotty, C.Smith, Fekitoa. Oh my! I thonk Crotty is a solid player and able to cover inside and outside centre he is a must for the squad. Frontrow is still a bit thin but all other positions covered very well. Even openside is pretty deep with McCaw, Cane, Todd and L.Braid. Its hard to see anyone beating NZ if they play like they did last night. Best team with the most depth (by a country mile in depth) in the world heading into the WC. The tests against Eng will be interesting in november, we will get a better idea of where the top 4 sit on Eng turf then. I wouldnt count France out either just yet. Yes they were simply awful in the 12/13 & 13/14 seasons but there are quite a few youngsters showing enough promise in the top 14 to cause worry. Anyone know if the Armitage bros have shown interest in representing France?

I exaggerated a tad. Yeah I'd give him a 7. No confusion, there was only one Smith playing last night but like the father, the son and the holy ghost, he has 3 forms.

I know that one mango jack! Dan-all-blacks-kicked-wallaby-butt!

If Conrad smith was about a 6, what was AAC, -2?