KIWI HOPES OF winning a second Rugby World Cup title have taken a massive blow after it was confirmed that fly-half Dan Carter will miss the rest of the tournament because of the injury he sustained on Saturday.

The news was confirmed by coach Graham Henry at a press conference in Wellington on Sunday morning (local time) following further assessments by the squad’s medical team.

Carter had been due to captain his country for the first time against Canada but was withdrawn after injuring his groin during kicking practice. He will be replaced by Colin Slade for the All Blacks’ final pool game, while Aaron Cruden has now been called up to the squad as an additional option.

“We are all obviously devastated for Daniel,” Henry said in a statement. “He has worked so hard to be at a peak for Rugby World Cup. We will rally around him and pull together as a team.”

A scan revealed the 29–year–old has torn the adductor longus tendon in his left groin and he will now see a specialist next week to determine treatment, “with surgery a possibility”.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson added: “The scan confirmed our worst fears, that the tendon has torn, which means he is out of the tournament.”

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