New Zealand’s rugby community was shocked at the news that their golden boy Dan Carter will have no more say in the outcome of this years rugby World Cup.

The All Black flyhalf has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament because of the groin injury he suffered at yesterday’s captains run and Colin Slade will now be expected to wear the No 10 jersey.

Manawatu’s Aaron Cruden has been brought into the squad.

This is a massive blow for All Blacks fans who are hoping their side will lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time since 1987.

And what makes this news even more devastating for Carter, and New Zealand fans, is that he is rarely been sidelined by this sort of injury.

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All Black flyhalf Daniel Carter will remain in New Zealand till after the 2015 World Cup, but did not exclude the possibility to play overseas in the future.

The 29-year-old, who was reportedly fielding lucrative offers from French clubs, said he agonised over his future before sealing a deal which ties him to the All Blacks until the 2015 World Cup in England.

“There were a few different reasons for signing but the underlying factor was the black jersey,” he told reporters.

“If I went overseas I would not be able to wear the black jersey and that was a big reason for staying.”

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All Black ace Daniel Carter will not participate in any rugby matches for up to 8 weeks because of ankle surgery.

The surgery means Carter will be unavailable for the All Blacks final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on 11 September.

All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to his typical high standard.

“However, it’s reached the point now where it is restricting his ankle flexibility and, in turn, affecting his calf muscle strength, so now is the right time to have surgery,” Robinson said.

Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday, would involve removing loose material from the joint at the back of his ankle.  A bone spur would also be removed from the front of his ankle.

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Richie McCaw will make his return to no. 7 flanker on Saturday when the Crusaders face the Cheetahs in their Super 14 encounter.

As a result of a shoulder injury to Kieran Read, Thomas Waldrom takes over at number eight while George Whitelock moves over to blindside.

Meanwhile, Dan Carter has been named as the starting fly-half but he has not trained this week due ot a tightening of his adductor muscle described by coach Todd Blackadder as ‘freakish’.

Blackadder said it was in the best interests of the team’s preparation to make a decision on Friday rather than leaving it until close to kick-off.

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The opening round of the Air New Zealand Cup starts this weekend and the All Black coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on the return of Daniel Carter to the Crusaders lineup.

It has been suggested that Carter could be brought back for the second half of the All Blacks’ Tri-Nations campaign – which will see them play the Wallabies in Sydney (on August 22), the Springboks in Hamilton (September 12) and Aussies in Wellington (September 19).

All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith admitted that it is a “possibility” that Carter could be recalled for the latter stages of the Tri-Nations tournament.

Although Smith was cautious about discussing whether Carter would return to international duty, after spending six months recovering from his ruptured Achilles tendon, he did not dismiss it outright.

“Who knows? Possibly,” Smith told a media gathering in Durban, where the All Blacks are preparing for their second match against the Springboks – following last week’s 19-28 loss in Bloemfontein.

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The New Zealand, Crusaders and Perpignan superstar Daniel Carter might be sidelined for up to six months following a partial rapture to his Achilles tendon on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was injured in the final moments of Perpignan’s 13-13 Top 14 draw with Stade Français on Saturday in front of 79,122 at the Stade de France.

The All Black had kicked his team level with a penalty two minutes from time after they had trailed 13-3 with just eight minutes remaining.

Carter’s appearance against the Parisians marked his return from three weeks on the sidelines with a strain to the same Achilles tendon.

The French club signed Carter on a lucrative six-month deal but he has played just five times since arriving in December after being part of New Zealand’s victorious ‘Grand Slam’ romp across Europe in November.

Details on the extend of the injury to his left ankle have yet to be confirmed, but club spokesman Benoît Brazè admitted that Carter has pulled on Perpignan’s famous blood and gold jersey for the last time.

“He has suffered a partial tear to his Achilles tendon – an injury that could keep him out of action for up to six months,” he said.

“Carter’s run with Perpignan is now over.

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All blacks host Zinedine Zidane to a day of kicking practice with Daniel Carter