Chris Rattue: An injury crisis of Henry's own creation

Dan Carter's pain, and the end of his Cup dream, is clear to see. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

The Grand Canyon of holes in the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup planning has been exposed, make no mistake about that.

The worry now for the nation of broken rugby dreams is that the quick-fix recovery operation is to be guided by the mad backline professor responsible for digging this hole in the first place.

There have been many wonderful sports photos over the years where simplicity creates the dramatic effect and tells the story. The one published on this page showing Daniel Carter crumpled on the turf, his groin torn apart during a simple goalkicking session, easily makes this grade. Should the All Blacks fail on their latest World Cup mission, this will be a photo for the ages.

What a great shame for the tournament, to lose one of its few superstars and probably the world's best player. As for the All Blacks - total disaster. The only silver lining is that it did not occur during a major match. So step up Colin Slade, or will it be Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, or Isaia Toeava, or someone else?

After yesterday's match against Canada, I'm more convinced than ever that Weepu is the man and that Slade is not, although Weepu's 80-minute fitness still might be a problem.

Backs coach Wayne "Mad Prof" Smith is capable of producing surprises around almost any corner, including ones into the home straight. Slade's elevation into the World Cup squad was hardly convincing in the first place.

Rather than owing his place to careful planning, Slade just happened to be on the merry-go-round when the World Cup tournament was on. He may never be seen again, for all we know.

No one can replace Carter, but the problem suddenly facing the coaches is largely of their making. After eight years in charge, Graham Henry's regime has failed dismally in establishing a credible back-up to Carter. In a country of peerless talent, New Zealand has - in the key position - ended up in a bit of a shambles.

Carter's departure leaves centre Conrad Smith as the only test-hardened and reliably sensible decision maker in what is likely to be the starting back division.

Slade is woefully under-prepared and probably not truly good enough for this, and the magical, but slight Cruden is being fast-tracked in from left field. More significantly, the NZRU failed to see the imperatives here, and continued to rule the overseas-based Nick Evans out of bounds. Henry concurred.

Wayne Smith's complex scheming can bear fruit and a major point in his favour is his belief in sheer talent and power over the reliable but mundane. But the ripening process usually takes time, and sometimes only by default as with the World Cup wings. Against type, Smith now needs to be decisive in choice and tactics.

What do the All Blacks lose through the Carter injury? For starters, he is the smartest No 10 defender in world rugby although not through confrontation.

Carter's experience also negated problems that would otherwise emerge via the revolving door used for three disparate halfbacks.

Ma'a Nonu's running is absolutely superb right now, but he is tactically erratic and doesn't offer a kicking alternative. So the new No 10 - whoever he may be - will find himself between a rock and a hard place in some matters. Dare we mention goalkicking, kickoffs, etc, etc?

The good news for the All Blacks is that Carter was head and shoulders above other first five-eighths at this tournament anyway. Slade looks reasonably okay in comparison with Toby Flood or even Quade Cooper on one of his numerous crazy days.

And the Springboks have also lost a major part of their plans through the departure of Francois Steyn, who gobbles up penalty chances from up to 60 metres out.

Still, the All Blacks have plummeted from firm to slight favourites and, vitally, their opponents will smell blood. They will sense sport's most famous chokers have, once again, put a hand to their own throats - and for once we're not talking about the haka.