Mehrtens backs Slade for World Cup semi

All Blacks goal kicking great Andrew Mehrtens believes the coaches should stick with Colin Slade - if he is free from injury. Photo / Paul Estcourt

If Colin Slade is free from injury he should start at 10 for the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup semi final clash against Australia, former goal-kicking great Andrew Mehrtens says.

Slade came off injured against Argentina last night, and was replaced by Manawatu's Aaron Cruden, who impressed in his first Rugby World cup appearance.

However Mehrtens believes the coaches should stick with the man brought into to the side as a back-up to the now injured Daniel Carter.

"I think if Slade is 100 per cent fit they will start with Slade again and I think that is right," the former All Black number 10 said. "I think we have got to put our faith in the guy that we brought into the World Cup as our first five-eighth.

"Obviously we've lost Carter and people need to move on from that. Everyone is still talking about that and they will for a long time. But let's back Colin Slade.

"In saying that we've got a couple of other options. I think Aaron Cruden did fantastically last night against the Argentineans.

"I think he did pretty well to get in and play with such confidence. He ran well, he passed well, and he did the basics really well but also he has got great feet and tracks on the pace when he needs to. And as well as that we've got an experienced guy in Weepu, he's very, very competent, has beautiful hands and distribution skills and a very good kicking game. So we've actually got some pretty good options."

Meanwhile TV3's Jim Kayes says neither Mils Muliaina or Colin Slade were on the team bus heading to the new hotel the team will be staying in ahead of the Wallabies clash.

The team's management has called a press conference for 4pm today, where there could possibly be an announcement on the players' availability for the remainder of the tournament.