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Dan Carter - Source: ONE Sport -
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The All Blacks have rushed back Daniel Carter back into camp but is it too soon? Two of tvnz.co.nz's sport writers go head-to-head in a debate that has split the nation.
Strap him in!
By Max Bania
Here's a riddle: How many rugby players does it take to change a backline?
One. Dan Carter.
Sure, by his own admission he's not a miracle worker, but he doesn't need to be. A deft mechanic is all that's required to transform the All Blacks' spluttering backline engine into the purring, well-oiled machine it has been in years passed.
Necessary skills include telling people where to stand, throwing a rugby ball in the general direction of one's team-mates and kicking the crap out of it whenever commonsense dictates. By all these measures and more, the humble Southbridge lad is far and away the best man for the job.
That's why the cartel is fully justified in selecting Carter . Unlike Luke McAlister - who'd barely picked up a rugby ball in months when he was rushed back into the national team, and how it showed - Carter has put his mending Achilles to the test in two willing Air New Zealand Cup fixtures, and come through with flying colours.
All Blacks team-mates have spoken glowingly of his focus and enthusiasm since his return to camp. He looks fit, fresh, and in fine fettle, they say. This was personally confirmed when he stepped hastily in front of this writer's car on New North Road on Sunday night and showed his trademark evasive skills to cross safely. He's ready.
Carter's return might just strengthen the All Blacks in not one position, but two. After a breakthrough season in 2008, Ma'a Nonu has failed to make the same impact this year and his selection is no longer guaranteed.
It's no coincidence that Stephen Donald's best half hour in black came during his cameo at second five during the All Blacks' Tri Nations-clinching victory in Brisbane. Carter and the hard-running and even-harder-tackling Donald are perfectly suited as a 10-12 axis, and would probably make a better Plan B than the current Plan A - endless crash ball to the out of sorts Nonu.
And Donald would not be the only man to benefit from Carter's return. His calming presence will instil confidence and composure into an All Black team that jittered about like nervous nellies in South Africa.
The Cartel have made some questionable and some outright incorrect personnel decisions this season, but chances are that when the dust settles on next Saturday night's dance of the desperates in Sydney, Carter will have waltzed the canary yellows into Tri Nations oblivion.
What's the rush?
By Chris Matthews
Here's a scenario: It's early October in 2011 and the All Blacks are just days away from playing a World Cup semi-final against the Wallabies at Eden Park. The home side have cruised through the tournament so far - dispatching France and Argentina in consecutive weeks with 29-year-old Dan Carter in commanding form.
But then CRACK.
Carter limps off the training field and soon after the fears off a nation are confirmed when Carter and All Blacks coach Graham Henry front a press conference and tell the world the unthinkable:
"Daniel is very upset at the moment but unfortunately he has re-torn his Achilles and has pulled out of the tournament."
Shock, horror - alright and while this scenario is unlikely to unfold, if by chance it did, Henry might cast his mind back to the 2009 Tri Nations.
This was his chance to let the understudy, aka Mr Stephen Donald, bloom through a torrid international season. The All Blacks may not have won the (forgettable piece of) silverware but they would have achieved a far greater cause - depth and experience in a pivotal position.
Whether Carter is fit and ready is a moot point. Sure, rush him back if the All Blacks have something to play for but the fact of the matter is that they have already all but conceded the Tri Nations title.
The only thing left to achieve this season, in terms of silverware, is the retention of the Bledisloe Cup and with three more matches against the Wallabies remaining this should be achieved.
The real goal of this season now should be about building depth. Not only at first five but in other key positions as well.
If the All Blacks drop a couple more Tests, so be it. The public may beat Henry up now for his worst international season and the purists may despair at the loss of the All Blacks aura, but at the end of the day, I'm sorry, the World Cup is the only thing that matters.
So what's the rush? Let Dan ease back and give Graham the opportunity to have the last laugh with World Cup glory.
Is it too soon to be rushing Dan Carter back into the All Blacks? Have your say below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentblacktrick said on 2009-08-17 @ 15:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
Even with Dan back,the forwards will have to perform, and that will be assisted by the dropping of Tialata. Maybe Henry can' t pronounce DeMalmanche's name , why o why don't they give him a run, the guys confidence must be down, I, sure as heck, would feel that way if I was constantly overlooked
pbaylis said on 2009-08-15 @ 21:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
I hear what you're saying about needing a backup, but I don't think Donald's our man. He's too skittish. For mine, Piri Weepu should be permanently in one of the halves positions, if not half-back then first-five. He's shown himself as powerful and elusive, able to shove off big forwards, deceptive in his running and solid in defence. Am I the only one seeing this? He's truly a standout.
Keep it Real said on 2009-08-14 @ 17:14 NZDT: Report abusive post
Yeah let Carter play Air NZ Cup for the whole season. He has only played three matches! All Blacks will be all the better for the depth and experiance!