KEY POINTS:
For the last five years, Daniel Carter has iced any debate about who should wear the All Black No 10 jersey. When fit, his hold on the position has been unquestioned as he has marched through 43 tests as the national pivot.
When he was injured, part of
the cottonwool project or just simply rested, Nick Evans, Luke McAlister, Leon MacDonald and Stephen Donald were whistled up to cover for the side's star playmaker and goalkicker. At the most though they were required for two test stretches.
Now someone or perhaps multiple players will be required to guide the All Black backline through at least 10 tests in the domestic and Tri-Nations programme this season as Carter recovers from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon he suffered playing for his French club Perpignan. If all goes well Carter may be available for the latter part of the Tri-Nations and the end of year tour to Europe.
The only winner from the unfortunate episode may be Carter's old sparring partner Carlos Spencer who has just been let go by his Northampton club and is looking for work.
In the interim, the questions will be floated about who will replace Carter and how the All Blacks will cope without their star playmaker.
Donald was Carter's understudy last season when Evans and McAlister chose to take up contracts in England in the wake of the latest 2007 World Cup failure.
Then in the middle of last year, Carter negotiated his 2009 sabbatical contract with Perpignan while agreeing to then return to play his rugby in New Zealand until the seventh World Cup.
That probably meant Carter would not be ready for this year's opening domestic tests against France and Italy, so the All Black selectors decided to introduce Donald to the starting XV against the Wallabies in Hong Kong and then Scotland on the end of year tour.
Meanwhile Perpignan paid Carter about $1.4 million for his seven-month sabbatical with them, a scheme which has ended up costing the club almost $39,000 a minute for the five-eighths when he was injured in Paris at the weekend in his fifth match for the club. Carter had just returned to action after a few weeks rest because of earlier problems with his Achilles.
"It is just terrible, we really feel for him," All Black coach Graham Henry said.
His national management and medical staff had been in touch with Carter and would continue to consult Perpignan officials to work out the best plan for dealing with his injury and recuperation.
"It's hugely disappointing for Dan. He was really enjoying playing in France. He's getting fantastic support from the Perpignan team who have been keeping us well briefed," All Blacks manager Darren Shand said.
"Dan's now resting at home in Perpignan and it's probable that he will need surgery but a full assessment will be made over the next few days.
"As a general rule, players who suffer a severe Achilles injury are out of rugby for at least six months but it can be longer. Dan will return to rugby when he is ready and we will support him throughout his rehabilitation."
Meanwhile the All Black selectors will have plenty of time to ponder their selection alternatives. Donald will be favoured after his introduction last season while the national selectors have also been impressed with Stephen Brett's improving talents.
The rest remain in the promising, erratic, or like Piri Weepu in the utility category, rather than appealing as a specialist international playmaker. Many of them can play useful individual games, the question is whether any can string together a run of performances to grab the selectors' attention.
Try this lot; Colin Slade, Brett, Tasesa Lavea, Jimmy Gopperth, Weepu, Willie Ripia, Dan Kirkpatrick, Donald, Mike Delany, Callum Bruce, Daniel Bowden, Matt Berquist. All handy players but international five-eighths? Maybe, as the panel did in 2004, they will have to widen their search and experiment with MacDonald again, try Isaia Toeava or persuade Evans, McAlister, Spencer or Aaron Mauger to cut and run back home.