By Rex Gowar
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 25 (Reuters) – Flyhalf Daniel Carter looks like being fit for New Zealand’s potential Rugby Championship title clincher against Argentina on Saturday, coach Steve Hansen said on Tuesday.
The All Blacks face the Pumas in La Plata (2310 GMT) knowing a victory will land them the crown regardless of what happens in South Africa’s clash with Australia in Pretoria.
“He’s training like he’s ready to play, so as long as he continues to progress he’ll be playing,” Hansen told a news conference at the team’s hotel in the capital on Tuesday.
“He came through today’s session pretty good. We pulled him out after about 45 minutes and he wasn’t overly happy about that, he wanted to do a bit more so that was a good sign.”
Carter missed New Zealand’s last two matches, home victories over Argentina and South Africa, with a calf injury. Carter also missed New Zealand’s triumphant World Cup campaign last year after tearing his groin in a training session.
The world champions know Argentina are very tough opponents on home soil and are also learning fast with each game in their first major annual tournament.
Hansen expects the Pumas pack to try to dominate as they did in their previous home match, a 16-16 draw with South Africa, and also in their defeats away to New Zealand and Australia.
He is wary too of Argentina’s growing confidence as evidenced by their scoring two tries against the Wallabies and running up a 13-point lead before going down 23-19.
Continued…
