Some may be questioning his ability to guide the All Blacks to a successful defence of their Rugby World Cup title next year, but across the ditch Dan Carter is still top dog.
Dan Carter Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Dan Carter of the Crusaders on the burst in the Super Rugby Semi Final match, Crusaders v Sharks, Christchurch, July 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The first-five is out of action for a month with a fractured fibula.
The latest injury has re-ignited the debate about whether or not the 32-year-old's body can still handle the rigours of professional rugby and whether or not he's still New Zealand's number one number 10.
Arch-rivals Australia though have no doubt the Crusaders playmaker is still the best and the Wallabies pivot Matt Toomua is quietly chuffed Carter will be missing for the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests.
Matt Toomua. 2013 Australian Wallabies v New Zealand All Black. Rugby Championship Test Match. ANZ Stadium, Sydney on Saturday 17 August 2013. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Toomua says while Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett are world class first-fives in their own right, Carter is still the benchmark, and his unavailability is a major boost for the Wallabies.
After impressing in the Super Rugby final, the Crusaders playmaker Colin Slade has been called into the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship as cover for the Carter.
Crusaders first five Colin Slade Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Carter will miss at least the first two matches after fracturing his leg in the Super Rugby final.
Scans revealed a small crack in Carter's fibula and while it will not require surgery, recovery is expected to take four weeks.
Cruden is likely to start the first match against Australia in Sydney on Saturday week with Barrett expected to come off the bench.
Slade's last game for the All Blacks was August last year, although he was a part of the squad for the June internationals against England.
World champions New Zealand, who have won the first two Rugby Championship titles, will be aiming to set a new record for top tier nations with an 18th successive victory when they take on Australia at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
