Carter's replacement - the contenders

Luke McAlister

Daniel Carter's injury poses a problem for the All Blacks selectors. Wynne Gray looks at the options.

Luke McAlister is likely to replace the injured Daniel Carter as All Blacks first five-eighths this week.

The selectors reasoned that they had enough depth in the squad for the Lions and Tri-Nations series without picking another specialist first five-eighths.

That thinking is likely to persist for Carisbrook next week against the Springboks with McAlister chosen in the No 10 jersey as he was for the third test against the Lions.

However, that philosophy should be tweaked for the end-of-year Grand Slam tests against Wales, Ireland, England and Scotland.

An expanded squad will travel and, even with a fit Carter - his broken leg is expected to be healed by then - there should be room for an understudy specialist first five-eighths.

Twice in the past year inside backs Stephen Donald and Luke McAlister have teamed up to take New Zealand sides to important victories.

They were paired at the Hughenden ground in Glasgow last year when New Zealand defeated Ireland in the under-21 World Cup final.

And they were the inside-back combination for the Junior All Blacks' second-test victory in Sydney this year.

Donald has not broken into the All Blacks squad yet.

He and other contenders such as Nick Evans and Tasesa Lavea have been left to develop elsewhere while Carter, McAlister, Leon MacDonald and Aaron Mauger have covered at international level.

LUKE McALISTER

Roped in for the third test against the Lions when Carter and MacDonald were injured. Is likely to get the call again for the must-win Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Dunedin.

As a midfielder, the shift for McAlister is nowhere near as drastic as moving MacDonald from fullback.

McAlister is a quality goalkicker, kicking six from six in his test debut at Eden Park. He has been around the squad for some time and using him again at first five-eighths should improve his midfield work.

The jury is out on his decision-making, but with only six days to prepare McAlister offers the least backline disruption in a straight swap for Carter.

LEON MacDONALD

Is a fullback who would be converting to first five-eighths at test level on the strength of some club rugby in Japan.

It was an interesting thought for the third test against the Lions but did not eventuate. MacDonald looks a better bet to cover roles from the bench rather than be the starting first five-eighths.

Would be a strong defender against the Bok ball-runners and may have a better long kicking game than McAlister, but it's uncertain whether he has the vision to run the backline.

Is not the long-term answer and probably not the best stopgap choice. Would do the job, but what would be the benefit?

First five-eighths resources have dwindled with the exits of Andrew Mehrtens, Carlos Spencer, Tony Brown and Glen Jackson. But some are lining up to make the leap to test level.

STEPHEN DONALD

Has been likened to Stephen Larkham for his running style and his ability to throw superb passes. Does not shirk any of the physical parts of the game and will attack the line if the tactics demand it.

Has an awkward-looking tactical kicking style which needs some attention, but he gets the job done and is a handy goalkicker.

Former Colts coach Bryce Woodward said he was a most accurate first five-eighths who played flawlessly for him in several tournaments.

NICK EVANS

Does not have the physical clout of others and fell behind Donald on the Junior All Blacks trip. Did not appear to be favoured in several comments from the All Blacks selectors after that tour and the national trial.

Has speed, a superb gliding run and a clever long-kicking game, but needs to show some more consistent backline direction. A confidence player, who is a smooth goalkicker, Evans needs to nail this NPC season to reinstate his claim for the end-of-year tour.

Evans seems to have the right temperament for top rugby but he needs to show more of it and an improved defensive line.

TASESA LAVEA

The league convert now has the chance to work without the shadow of Spencer looming for Auckland or the Blues. Is a natural runner who takes the ball to the line and works well in traffic.

There was a strong whisper the All Black panel considered Lavea as a third test option against the Lions because of the squad's injury crisis.

The 25-year-old dealt with a swag of injuries this season including hamstring, knee, rib cartilage problems and a cracked fibula, and admitted he should not have played for Auckland against the Lions.

Tough tackler, gutsy player but may still need more work on his wider game and goalkicking.