Five of the worst - All Blacks injuries at World Cups

Dan Carter of the All Blacks shows the pain of a groin injury suffered. Photo / Getty Images

1. Dan Carter's groin in 2011

Sent the country into meltdown with the news he will miss the rest of the World Cup due to a groin injury suffered during goalkicking practice. The world's highest points scorer in tests with 1250, Carter is one of the most influential players in the game and comfortably tops this list due to his goalkicking, calm option-taking and ability to carve open a game with his running. He's also one of the best defenders of anyone wearing a No10 jersey. Carter had a quiet Super Rugby season for the Crusaders by his standards, although a hamstring injury was a mitigating factor. He took a limited part in the previous two World Cups due to selection issues and injury - he limped off the field with an ankle injury during the All Blacks loss to France in the Cardiff quarter-final in 2007.

2. Andy Dalton's hamstring in 1987

All Blacks hooker and captain Andy Dalton was forced to watch the entire 1987 World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury during training on the eve of the tournament. He watched as halfback David Kirk took over as captain and hoisted the William Webb Ellis trophy. Dalton's injury opened the door for Sean Fitzpatrick, who went on to play 92 tests in the front row for the All Blacks. Dalton recovered in time for the quarter-finals but Fitzpatrick wasn't about to give up his No 2 jersey so Dalton was forced to sit on the bench.

3. Tana Umaga's knee in 2003

Tana Umaga limped out of the 2004 World Cup in Australia in the All Blacks opening match against Italy in Melbourne due to a serious knee injury, which led to fullback Leon MacDonald taking his centre position and culminated in an ignominious exit in the semi-final at the hands of the Wallabies. The selectors preferred MacDonald over Ma'a Nonu for the role due to his goalkicking but the experiment failed, as did the All Blacks.

4. Mike Brewer's foot in 1991

Loose forward Mike Brewer missed out on the 1987 World Cup but looked a shoo-in for the tournament in the United Kingdom four years later, only to be ruled out with a foot injury. It was a controversial business as Brewer himself maintained he was fit and there were murmurings of political shenanigans at NZRU level being behind his omission. Brewer finally made his Cup debut in 1995, a campaign that ended in sickness and a loss in the final to hosts South Africa.

5. Richie McCaw's foot in 2011

Whisper it, but the All Blacks have played four games in this World Cup and McCaw has not taken the field in two of them due to his foot injury. McCaw suffered the stress fracture injury in a 'beep' fitness test following the All Blacks tour of the United Kingdom last year. McCaw had a screw inserted into a bone in his foot and it is the constant pain that is troubling him. His presence in the team's knockout matches assumes even more importance now that Carter has been ruled out. Apart from his all-round excellence on the field in his role as openside flanker, McCaw's leadership and management of referees is second to none.