D2 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, October 4, 2014 THE PRESS, Christchurch RUGBY Carter a casualty – rookies will start Coach plugs gaps for game against Makos Tony Smith Fantasy gets [email protected] ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Scott Robertson may feel more like a casualty ward medical director serious in France than a rugby coach but he is look- ing at the loss of experienced Can- A computer game has just been the region of €1m ($NZ1.6m). terbury halves Dan Carter and released allowing fans to take on The former Australia Willi Heinz as a golden oppor- the role of director of rugby at playmaker duly signed on for tunity for two tyros. their favourite club. They can three more years with Toulon, Carter’s comeback has proved sign the best players in the but that is likely to be just the shortlived, with the All Blacks ace world and build a team capable first of many transfer invalided out of tonight’s game of winning anything. Mourad skirmishes between Boudjellal against the Tasman Makos at AMI Boudjellal, the Toulon owner, and Lorenzetti over the next Stadium. The 32-year-old returned has been playing that kind of year as rugby gears up for a last week after breaking a bone in fantasy rugby for years. mass migration of talent after his lower right leg in the He now has his eyes on what the 2015 World Cup. Crusaders’ Super Rugby grand he calls ‘‘les quatres Significantly, it is not just the final defeat in Sydney on August 2. fantastique’’, an all-star list that old guard in the market for one But he suffered a knock to his he has declined to name but last lucrative payday who could shin in Canterbury’s 28-26 loss to appears to include three key All be bound for Europe. Southland on Sunday and has not Blacks – Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu Kieran Read, widely con- recovered in time to play national and Richie McCaw. sidered to be the All Blacks’ provincial championship co- The most prized signature of captain-in-waiting, is said to be leaders Tasman. all is that of Dan Carter, who exploring the possibility of a Carter will join captain Heinz would also command about €1m lucrative stint abroad, while on the sideline with the senior ($NZ1.6m). Toulon and Racing Ben Smith, his team-mate at halfback nursing a knee injury. are both chasing the New Zea- international level, is another Robertson said it was a ‘‘tight land fly half, although the Paris believed to be on Toulon’s radar. call’’ on Carter. He gave the cham- club are also thought to have Israel Folau, Quade Cooper pion first five-eighth every chance signed Remi Tales, the France and Adam Ashley-Cooper could to shake off his injury by delaying fly half. all feature in a mass Australian the team naming until last night. Jacky Lorenzetti, the Racing exodus. Faced with that stark But caution ultimately pre- Metro president, has joined the reality, the Australian Rugby vailed. ‘‘He’s just got a bang on his high-stakes bidding war after Union had to change its policy shin and he’s about 80 per cent his club returned to the Top 14, and allow players to build a [fit],’’ Robertson said. making a bid last month to sabbatical year into their con- ‘‘We’ve decided to let him be tempt Matt Giteau from Toulon tracts. It was dubbed the ‘‘Folau 100 per cent before he plays again.’’ to replace Jonathan Sexton, trump card’’. Robertson said Carter was with the promise of a contract in Times ‘‘really keen’’. Stop-start: Dan Carter was in action last week for Canterbury but took a knock to a shin and has been sidelined for tonight’s game. Photo: GETTY IMAGES ‘‘But it was a combined decision; we just want to make Johnny McNicholl, Patrick AT A GLANCE trial but the Makos believe it is the likely to get noticed by the sure he’s at 100 per cent when he Osborne, Milford Keresoma, Dan ‘‘big one’’. Crusaders and other Super Rugby plays again.’’ Carter, Tyler Bleyendaal and Jack Robertson and Canterbury cap- teams. They have been the Whether that is against Tara- Goodhue all out with injuries, not Canterbury: Luteru Laulala, Manning, Reed Prinsep, Steve Siua Halanukonuka. Reserves: tain Nasi Manu both took the line frontrunners in this competition naki tomorrow week in Canter- to mention the players we’re miss- Nathaniel Apa, Adam Whitelock, Alfeld, Brett Mather, William Jesse MacDonald, Reuben that every NPC game is a virtual for the past half-dozen years and it bury’s final round-robin game, or ing with the All Blacks, our Rob Thompson, Michael Green, Saukuru. Northover, Tevita Cavubati, Super Rugby trial, although Manu will be a really good test for us. for the All Blacks against Aust- backline stocks are very stretched Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Bryce Nemani Nagusa, Billy Guyton, agreed Canterbury v Tasman was ‘‘They will be looking to make ralia in Brisbane on October 18, at the moment. Drummond, Nasi Manu (c), Matt Heem, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Rohan Saifoloi, Mitchell Scott. always ‘‘big brother against little amends after dropping their last now remains to be seen. ‘‘But I’ve got full confidence in Todd, Luke Whitelock, Matt James Lowe, Marty Banks, Jimmy Kickoff: 7.35pm tonight at AMI brother’’. couple of games, so there will be no Robertson has named two the players that will take the field Symons, Dominic Bird, Nepo Cowan, Vernon Fredricks, Shane Stadium. But Tasman lock Joe Wheeler, problem getting pumped up for 20-year-olds – Mitchell Drummond and I know that there is some Laulala, Codie Taylor, Daniel Christie (c), Tevita Koloamatangi, Referee: Garratt Williamson. who now plays for the Highlanders this week’s game. and Richie Mo’unga – at halfback exciting young talent in there who Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Ben Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Ross TAB: Canterbury $1.35. Tasman after a short stint with the ‘‘Now that we have guaranteed and first five-eighth. will be determined to show what Funnell, Siate Tokolahi, J J Geldenhuys, Quentin MacDonald, $3. Crusaders, said the Makos our spot in the semis, our goal is a ‘‘It’s a huge opportunity for they’ve got,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘always circle this match on the home semifinal.’’ them. They’re diligent and Canterbury – yet to field the calendar – it’s the big one for the The Makos have extra incen- aspiring young men and have got same team in two consecutive Southland and is not in the match- All Blacks squad member Dominic called up by Canterbury as reserve year’’. tive. Tonight’s match is captain good minutes under their belt. games this campaign – have made day 22. Daniel Lienert-Brown will Bird in the second row. halfback, attended the same school Wheeler, writing in his Marl- Shane Christie’s 50th match for his ‘‘This is their opportunity.’’ three changes to their pack. take the No 1 jersey, with Codie Carter’s defection has put paid as Southbridge scion Carter. borough Express column, said: province and the Highlanders Luteru Laulala takes over at Loosehead prop Alex Hodgman Taylor starting at hooker for Ben to a rare rugby reunion for two The Canterbury camp is ‘‘Everyone gets excited and wants openside flanker will be pumped fullback from Mo’unga. is still recovering from an off-the- Funnell. Ellesmere College alumni. playing down tonight’s game with to show their hand because if you for a big performance against Can- ‘‘With the likes of Willi Heinz, ball blow in the game against Chiefs lock Matt Symons joins Leeston product Steve Alfeld, Tasman as a potential Crusaders’ do well against Canterbury, you’re terbury’s All Black, Matt Todd. Horwill denies knifing Deans Darren Walton bie and I don’t think I ever went ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Brains trust: out there and did anything not to Assistant coach World Cup captain James Horwill my fullest.’’ Ian Foster (right) has denied helping plot Robbie Nor did he, Horwill said, meet says All Blacks Deans’ demise as Wallabies coach, with Pulver or anyone else to coach Steve but admits he erred in playing in endorse a coaching change – win Hansen (left) is Australia’s ill-fated series-deciding or lose the Lions series. always loss to the British and Irish Lions ‘‘I never met with Bill Pulver challenging him last year. about anything to do with the for the ARU boss Bill Pulver Wallabies,’’ he said. betterment of terminated Deans’ contract two The second-rower does now the team. days after Australia’s 41-16 third- agree with Deans that he should test capitulation in Sydney, with not have played with a calf injury, Horwill’s performance savaged in which, according to the former the coach’s autobiography coach’s autobiography, led to the released on Thursday. ‘‘Australian scrum getting The book, Red, Black & Gold, murdered’’. written by Deans’ trusted former Horwill conceded he’d been so Wallabies media manager Matt worked up by the IRB intervening McIlraith, also documents Deans’ to reopen a foul play charge disillusionment at senior players against him that, when he was being involved in ‘‘clandestine finally cleared to play, nothing was meetings’’ about the coach’s pos- Offside: James Horwill, foreground, and Robbie Deans address a press conference going to stop him. ition leading up to the test. after a test loss to the Lions last year. Photo: GETTY IMAGES ‘‘Probably in hindsight I ‘‘I don’t know about that,’’ shouldn’t have [played],’’ he said. Foster’s punt proves Horwill said ahead of tomorrow’s While the book did not name Lions loss.