By Greg Stutchbury
AUCKLAND, June 8 (Reuters) – Had Daniel Carter’s World Cup
script gone to plan, the flyhalf would still be basking in the
glory of making a big impact in rugby’s most prestigious final
on home soil.
Maybe ghosting to the defensive line, fending off a loose
forward who underestimated the upper body strength in his slim
frame and using his deceptive pace to score a try in the final.
Or even slotting the winning penalty.
However, a torn groin muscle while training on Wellington’s
Rugby League Park during the pool phase ended that fairytale of
directing the All Blacks to their second Webb Ellis trophy at
Auckland’s Eden Park.
The winning penalty was instead slotted by Stephen Donald,
whose continuous tugging at his tight jersey demonstrated the
fact he had been fishing for much of the World Cup and not
expecting a desperate call from coach Graham Henry.
It was “Beaver” who went into New Zealand folklore while
Carter, wearing a suit and tie, received his winner’s medal
after the 8-7 victory over France last October as part of the
extended squad.
On Saturday, Carter will make his return to Eden Park for
the All Blacks, having slowly worked his way back to fitness for
the Canterbury Crusaders. And he can not wait.
“It has been a long time. I missed all the exciting stuff in
the World Cup last year and that was disappointing personally,”
Carter said after he was named at flyhalf for New Zealand’s
first test against Ireland.
Continued…
