Another leg injury for Carter

Christchurch — All Black flyhalf Dan Carter’s final Super Rugby season began with a rocky start as the 32-year-old appeared to suffer another leg injury in the Crusaders’ surprise 20-10 loss to the Melbourne Rebels yesterday. The injury will no doubt send shivers down the spine of All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who is counting on the flyhalf being a big part of his plans for their World Cup defence in England later this year.

Carter has also already said he will leave New Zealand rugby after the conclusion of the World Cup to take up a three-year contract with France’s Racing Metro.

He barely played at all last year due to a sabbatical and then a broken leg and while he went into contact willingly and made several tackles yesterday he appeared to still be shaking out the rust that blighted his end-of-season tour with the All Blacks last year. — Sport 24