All Blacks: Dan carter training at second five for upcoming test against the boks...
September 2nd 2009 22:34
All Blacks: Dan Carter training at second five for upcoming test against the Boks...
Daniel Carter is the world's best first five-eighths, by some margin.
He is just getting back into his stride after recuperating from his Achilles tendon operation and already looks in better form than Tri-Nations rivals Matt Giteau or Morne Steyn.
It was possible to see his fellow All Blacks lift every time he got the ball in Sydney as the side narrowly avoided a third straight defeat.
But if you believe the drumbeats from the All Black training camp yesterday in Christchurch, the selectors are considering placing Carter in midfield outside Stephen Donald for the next test in Hamilton.
They would then shuffle Ma'a Nonu out a place to cover for the injury losses of Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Richard Kahui and Tamati Ellison.
Those theories swirled around yesterday as the All Blacks tinkered with ideas about the best way to use their remaining troops to confront the Springboks in Hamilton.
Carter began his All Black career at second five-eighths and has started 12 tests in that role, losing just once at Sydney in 2004.
Most recently he began the test against the Wallabies in Hong Kong last year in the No 12 jersey outside Donald but after an unflattering first half, moved into first receiver as the All Blacks worked their way back into the match and victory.
Carter is the most valuable All Black back with a running and kicking game to complement the time and vision he has in that role. The more he touches the ball, the greater the chances of All Black success.
So to move Carter out into midfield, even with the knowledge that he can scout the field and guide Donald, would leave him open to too much physical punishment and be a waste of his golden skills.
If the selectors feel they have to use Nonu at centre, then Donald could be pitched into second five-eighths. He is a courageous defender, will cart the ball up if asked and can be used as an alternate tactical kicker.
There would be a risk, as the Wallabies found out when Adam Ashley-Cooper's positional nous was exploited by the Springboks for two of their tries. But you fancy the chat between Carter and Donald would nail that channel tight for the All Blacks.
"We're trying to pick the best team for this test match," coach Graham Henry said yesterday.
"Dan can play 12 as we all know. He played 12 for quite a lot of the game against Australia in Sydney. It's just a matter of us picking the best team for this particular test."
No doubt Carter's skills would also allow him to play fullback but he would be even further removed from the All Blacks hub. The more times he can touch the ball, the better the All Blacks' chances of controlling the tempo and shape of matches.
Meanwhile No 8 Kieran Read showed little sign of the knee injury which has bothered him since Sydney although he was kept out of one physical part of the lengthy two and a half hour session.
Reserve halfback Piri Weepu limped out of training again with some ankle damage and later joined Conrad Smith as a spectator.
Acknowledgements: MSN NZ
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