WORLD CUP FAVOURITES New Zealand have been rocked by an injury to playmaker Dan Carter.

The fly-half had been due to captain his country for the first time in the absence of the injured Richie McCaw, who has a sore foot, but suffered a groin injury during kicking practice and was immediately withdrawn from the match against Canada – to be played Sunday.

Given Carter’s recent struggles with injury, Kiwis across the globe now face an anxious 24-hour wait before a further injury update is released, amid speculation that the problem could end his involvement in the tournament completely.

A statement from the All Blacks’ camp stated that further information on Carter’s injury will be given on Sunday after the player is “further assessed”, with Colin Slade taking over the number ten shirt in the meantime.

An unnamed source has since told NZTV that the injury is “serious” and given how pivotal Carter is to his country’s hopes, Henry and his management team will be hoping for the best possible outcome.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers, meanwhile, has confirmed that the shoulder injury suffered by Frans Steyn in the Boks’ Pool D win over Samoa is likely to end his World Cup.

“The doctor will confirm it, but it’s 95% that he is on his way home and that is a big blow for us,” De Villiers said, speaking after the game.

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