Confident . . . The All Blacks' Daniel Carter says he's ready to take the field as he signs autographs in Sydney yesterday.
Photo: Getty Images
Carter set to slot straight in
If Dan Carter has any hidden fear about his Test comeback for the All Blacks on Saturday, he wasn't showing any when it was confirmed yesterday.
After being preferred to Stephen Donald as the All Blacks' starting five-eighth for the Test against the Wallabies in Sydney, Carter spoke as if time had stood still since he was sidelined six months ago with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Asked if he had any apprehension about returning after only three NPC clashes for Canterbury and one for his Southbridge club, Carter said: ''I'm just wanting to enjoy the week. Obviously, [after] not playing for so long, anxiety can tend to kick in, but we have a great bunch of guys working around me. I have a bit of experience so I know what works for me. So long as I concentrate on things I need to do everything will tend to take care of itself.''
Carter, for whom Saturday's Test will be his 59th, even dismissed any concern about having to fast-track his knowledge of the All Blacks' game plans.
''A lot of them are the same base moves we have had the last few years,'' Carter said. ''There are just a subtle few changes to a few things that I have picked up on the last few days. It is a matter of really nailing those early in the week so I have clarity in the mind for the second half of the week.''
Forget any butterflies about his head-to-head against Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau either. He is relishing the challenge of facing one of the best.
''He is extremely settled in that No.10 jersey now after being shifted around 12 and 9,'' Carter said. ''I think he is the best man for that position, and the way he has been playing the last 12 months has been awesome. He is definitely developing and getting better every time he gets out there.''
Carter's one worry though is for the wellbeing of Luke McAlister, who was named at No.12 and could not train yesterday due to a back spasm. However, the uncertainty of who will play outside him - McAlister or Ma'a Nonu - was not troubling Carter.
''I have played a lot with Ma'a also,'' he said. ''There are slight differences to how they play, but I am lucky enough to have played alongside both of them.''
Carter and McAlister might not have fond memories of the last time they played together. It was when France beat them in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final at Cardiff. But their selection also reflects the belief that the benched Nonu's game has slipped.
''Luke gives us an extra kicking game. So there is a right and left footer there,'' coach Graham Henry said.
ALL BLACKS: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Rodney So'oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ma'a Nonu.
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