The All Blacks say they’re not worried that returning star Dan Carter hasn’t been playing in his usual number 10 jersey ahead of the Rugby Championship.
Carter, who missed the early months of the season after being allowed a sabbatical, was on Monday brought back into the squad for the four-nation championship along with Charles Piutau, Sam Cane and Steven Luatua.
Squad members for the three-Test series against England who missed out on the Rugby Championship were Matt Todd, Colin Slade and Ryan Crotty.
Not considered because of injury were Wellington loose forward Victor Vito and Canterbury lock Luke Romano.
All Blacks selector Grant Fox says he’s been encouraged by Carter’s progress with the Crusaders, even though it has been in the number 12 jersey outside Slade.
“Playing second five-eighth was great as far as we’re concerned. It gets him right back into the physical side of the game and he just showed what a quality player he is,” Fox said.
“He hadn’t played a lot of footy either but he made a difference to the Crusaders straight away. He’s a world class performer.”
Fox said Carter was in the best shape he’d been in physically for two years and he was also mentally refreshed from his sabbatical.
Possibly the most unlucky player was Todd, who has been in great form but was rejected in favour of Chiefs flanker Sam Cane, despite Cane not having played for the Chiefs in recent weeks.
“We had to leave out players who are performing at a very, very high level and they could consider themselves unlucky not to be selected,” head coach Steve Hansen said.
“But while we feel for those guys, unfortunately, we have to make the hard decisions.”
Crusaders prop Joe Moody has been named in the squad as injury cover for Tony Woodcock, whose shoulder injury will keep him out of the start of the tournament.
The All Blacks assemble in Auckland for a two-day camp on Wednesday, minus the eight Crusaders players who are preparing for the Super Rugby final against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
Attending the squad camp in their absence are hookers Nathan Harris and Motu Matu’u, props Pauliasi Manu and Kane Hames, lock Jeremy Thrush, and loose forwards Liam Squire and Shane Christie.
The tournament begins when the All Blacks play the Wallabies in Sydney on August 16.
All Blacks squad: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Patrick Tuipulotu, Liam Messam, Steven Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read, Sam Cane, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg.
