Dan Carter to miss start of Championship campaign

Wellington: All Black superstar Dan Carter will be sidelined for at least half of New Zealand’s Rugby Championship campaign after cracking a calf bone in last weekend’s Super 15 final, officials said on Tuesday.

Carter left the field during the Canterbury Crusaders’ 32-33 loss to the NSW Waratahs in Sydney after an injury to his lower leg, which the club said was a hairline crack to the bone that would need at least four weeks to heal.

“A scan has revealed a small crack in his upper fibula. The size of the crack meant it was not originally picked up by an X-ray and required a scan to locate it,” the Crusaders said.

“The injury just requires rest to heal and it is hoped that his recovery will take approximately four weeks.”

The 100-Test fly-half will definitely miss New Zealand’s opening two Championship fixtures against Australia, where the Bledisloe Cup will be on the line, as well as a Test against Argentina in Napier on September 6.

If his recuperation takes longer than expected, he could also miss a clash against the Springboks in Wellington a week later.

The 32-year-old had been coming back from an extended break that began at the end of last year and saw him sit out most of the Super 15 season.