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Calf strain to sideline Carter for remainder of tournament as All Blacks keep up winning streak

CHAMPIONSHIP New Zealand 21 Argentina 5: OUTHALF DAN Carter will not be considered for New Zealand’s Rugby Championship clash…

Mon Sept 10 2012 - 01:00

CHAMPIONSHIP New Zealand 21 Argentina 5:OUTHALF DAN Carter will not be considered for New Zealand's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa next week to allow him to recover completely from a calf strain, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said yesterday.

“We have made the decision he won’t be playing next week,” Hansen told reporters at the team hotel the day after the All Blacks kept up their winning start to the new tournament with a 21-5 victory over Argentina in Wellington.

“The type of treatment he needs, it will take the pressure right off and give the calf the opportunity to come right.

“We’re trying to, I guess, take him off his legs so he can concentrate on getting it better rather than trying to get it better to play.”

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Hansen said the early decision on his availability for next week had been made to give clarity to the team, and young outhalves Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett, as they prepare for the Springboks in Dunedin.

Carter had been struggling with the injury but was named on Thursday in the starting line-up before being withdrawn.

Hansen said it was “likely” Cruden would retain the outhalf position for the Dunedin Test, which should boost the player’s confidence after he failed to stamp himself on the game in the first half against the Pumas.

Wingers Julian Savea and Cory Jane touched down for the world champions in the last 13 minutes to seal the win in wet and windy conditions in Wellington. Cruden kicked the other 11 points, while prop Rodrigo Roncero drove over for Argentinas try.

NEW ZEALAND: I Dagg; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, J Savea; A Cruden, A Smith; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, O Franks, L Romano, B Retallick, V Vito, R McCaw (capt), K Read. Replacements: L Messam for Vito (43 mins), A Hore for Mealamu (49 mins), P Weepu for Smith (61 mins), S Whitelock for Retallick (84 mins), C Faumuina for Franks (74 mins), B Barrett for Cruden (75).

ARGENTINA: M Rodriguez; G Camacho, M Bosch, S Fernandez, H Agulla; JM Hernandez, N Vergallo; R Roncero, E Guinazu, J Figallo, M Carizza, P Albacete; J Farias Cabello, JM Leguizamon, JM Fernandez Lobbe (capt). Replacements: T Leonardi for Leguizamon (41 mins), JP Orlandi for Figallo, M Ayerza for Roncero (both 51 mins), G Amorosino for Rodriguez (67 mins), L Senatore for Cabello (74 mins), M Landajo for Bosch (77 mins).

Referee: R Poite(France).