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Carter relieved to take ownership of 10
By DANIEL GILHOOLY - NZPA
Daniel Carter's blood pressure very rarely rises, but it did, just a little, when asked to share the All Blacks rugby playmaking duties last weekend.
First five-eighth Carter agreed with nearly every observer of the loss to South Africa in Hamilton that his combination with second five-eighth Stephen Donald simply didn't work.
The pair swapped their duties at 10 and 12 in a manner that seemed to confuse the All Blacks more than the Springboks.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry suggested it was a combination that would not be seen again when he dropped Donald to the reserve bench and restored Ma'a Nonu to the No 12 jersey he had worn snugly for two seasons, with Isaia Toeava one place further out.
Carter admitted returning to the status quo was a relief.
"Yeah it is," he said.
"Obviously on certain occasions you have to adapt and that's part of being a professional footballer and doing what's best for the team.
"This week we've got a couple of midfielders and I'm back in that playmaking role solely. I still need the guys outside me to be giving options, but I guess it's more of a familiar role that I'm used to."
Carter hinted to backs coach Wayne Smith early this week that the plan - concocted with the aim of always having one five-eighth available as a first receiver - had limitations. Smith was never going to debate the point.
"We've worked alongside each other long enough now. He knows what I enjoy doing and he knows that I'm always going to put the team first no matter what," Carter said.
"(But) I'm sure he'll feel I'm comfortable in that role."
Carter, who had an inaccurate night at Hamilton aside from his goalkicking, was aware of the heavy criticism surrounding the All Blacks but wasn't fazed.
In the same ice cool manner with which he slotted the match-winning penalty against Australia at Sydney last month, Carter swatted aside criticism in the media and from former All Blacks.
"Me personally, I know what's going on within the team and what needs to be done," he said.
"We feel that we're playing below par but those expectations only come from ourselves because we have such high standards as All Blacks. We're always wanting to lift to those standards and expectations.
"Pressure is just part of the territory and you've got to use it to your advantage."
Another All Blacks plan that has failed to reap dividends this week was an experiment at training to place a camera on Carter's head.
The technology, employed recently by Wallabies opposite Matt Giteau, is designed to allow others to "see" what a playmaker does to aid attacking strategies.
"I don't think it worked too well, I think there has to be a few modifications," Carter said.
"We might use it in the future once we get a better handle on things."
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old continues to methodically knock off the pointscoring marks held by former All Blacks Andrew Mehrtens and Grant Fox, with another set to fall on Saturday.
Carter has landed 20 conversions against Australia just behind the two former No 10s, who share the world record of 21.
By DANIEL GILHOOLY - NZPA
Daniel Carter's blood pressure very rarely rises, but it did, just a little, when asked to share the All Blacks rugby playmaking duties last weekend.
First five-eighth Carter agreed with nearly every observer of the loss to South Africa in Hamilton that his combination with second five-eighth Stephen Donald simply didn't work.
The pair swapped their duties at 10 and 12 in a manner that seemed to confuse the All Blacks more than the Springboks.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry suggested it was a combination that would not be seen again when he dropped Donald to the reserve bench and restored Ma'a Nonu to the No 12 jersey he had worn snugly for two seasons, with Isaia Toeava one place further out.
Carter admitted returning to the status quo was a relief.
"Yeah it is," he said.
"Obviously on certain occasions you have to adapt and that's part of being a professional footballer and doing what's best for the team.
"This week we've got a couple of midfielders and I'm back in that playmaking role solely. I still need the guys outside me to be giving options, but I guess it's more of a familiar role that I'm used to."
Carter hinted to backs coach Wayne Smith early this week that the plan - concocted with the aim of always having one five-eighth available as a first receiver - had limitations. Smith was never going to debate the point.
"We've worked alongside each other long enough now. He knows what I enjoy doing and he knows that I'm always going to put the team first no matter what," Carter said.
"(But) I'm sure he'll feel I'm comfortable in that role."
Carter, who had an inaccurate night at Hamilton aside from his goalkicking, was aware of the heavy criticism surrounding the All Blacks but wasn't fazed.
In the same ice cool manner with which he slotted the match-winning penalty against Australia at Sydney last month, Carter swatted aside criticism in the media and from former All Blacks.
"Me personally, I know what's going on within the team and what needs to be done," he said.
"We feel that we're playing below par but those expectations only come from ourselves because we have such high standards as All Blacks. We're always wanting to lift to those standards and expectations.
"Pressure is just part of the territory and you've got to use it to your advantage."
Another All Blacks plan that has failed to reap dividends this week was an experiment at training to place a camera on Carter's head.
The technology, employed recently by Wallabies opposite Matt Giteau, is designed to allow others to "see" what a playmaker does to aid attacking strategies.
"I don't think it worked too well, I think there has to be a few modifications," Carter said.
"We might use it in the future once we get a better handle on things."
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old continues to methodically knock off the pointscoring marks held by former All Blacks Andrew Mehrtens and Grant Fox, with another set to fall on Saturday.
Carter has landed 20 conversions against Australia just behind the two former No 10s, who share the world record of 21.
