Other options if Carter not fit for quarter finals..?

Question

Other options if Carter not fit for quarter finals..?

Answer 1

As mentioned we have plenty of cover within the squad - McAlister, Evans, Mauger and MacDonald.

The best replacement is undoubtably McAlister. For me Evans is still primarily a fullback playing first five. He has stated that he prefers playing number 10 but his best position is 15 IMO. Despite this he is still a class player who can cover first five but is falling into the trap of becoming a utility player.

If Carter is out for QF I think it would be a huge blow. There is no other player in the squad who is a proven goal kicker in big test matches. We have some good goal kickers, but Evans, MacDonald and McAlister have not had much exposure in the limelight. None of the other options have had much exposure starting at first five at test level either. Carter has dominated the position over the last few years.

Edit:

Hahahahahahahaha good call Hawkeye. I actually had a debate with a mate of mine last night over a few beers and he raised some good points. He's dead keen on Evans (prolific boot, consistent etc) and compared McAlister to.... Carlos Spencer. McAlister is hot and cold, he can win or lose games... and is maybe abit too arrogant and cocky for his own good.  Interesting argument and he has semi-convinced me. Hopefully Carter is fine by the quarter final. I read in the paper this morning that churches are holding special prayer sessions for Carter to recover!!! That is insane....

Answer 2

No way on Earth they are calling in a replacement and I doubt it would be Brett if they did.

If Carter was out for the rest of the RWC I think they'd put McAlister there permanently and bring in Mauger to 2nd 5.  Mauger can play 1st 5 and so can MacDonald and Evans... we have a ton of options.

***edit***

I HAVE TO CHANGE MY ANSWER!!!  I just remembered that Eddie Jones said that Aaron Mauger was the key for NZ winning the RWC, naturally this makes me wish Mauger was on the first flight back to NZ.  I am now praying that Evans takes the 10 and the rest stay as they are.

Answer 3

i would have to say evans gives you the best overall team as you can play mccallister at second five.  i would take Evans, then McAlister, then Macdonald then Mauger in that order to cover if DC went out, alot of quality depth there as Evans, McAlister and Macdonald have all started at first five for the All Blacks

Answer 4

McAlistair and Evans can bot play in the number 10. Both are competent. At home we also have the likes of Steven Brett and Steve Donald that can slot in and play very well.

Carter is a great player. But an injury to him is not the end of the world for NZ. We have alot of depth in many positions, especially at number 10.

Overall, not too many people over here are too worried about it.

Answer 5

McAllister, then Mauger, Nick Evans will primarily be covering Rangi and Mills untill they get themselves sorted, then covering both 1st five and fullback.

Plenty of options.

Answer 6

i think Nick Evans will replace him with mcalister as his back up and in all honesty both can play the number 10 and our quarter final match is only france so it's not a huge decision, carter needs to be fit for the bigger games

Answer 7

Surely Nick Evans will be the first choice replacement, with McAllister his backup. Evans would make it as a 1st 5/8 into any other test team in world rugby.

Answer 8

Evans would be the most likely option for 10 if Carter is out .

I think they will leave McAlister at 12  . McAlister has experience there at test level but i am thinking they will slot Evans in and leave McAlister at 12 .

Answer 9

There's another guy whose playing in the NPC for Canterbury whose a very good fly half and of course Aaron Mauger, he's another option.

Answer 10

this is y they should have taken piri weepu! i think in theyr mind tho evans is 2nd choice 1st V how wud u feel if u were nick evans being in Dcs shadow for years then finally u get a chance nd they put some1 else there?? so i think tht hel b 2nd choice than obviously mccalister! aaron mauger is the most over rated player in the abs when was the last good thing he done for the abs?? threw intercept pass vs boks tht could have cost them the game nd had no aattacking flair against the wallabies in the loss