All Black Dan Carter says he was angered and heartbroken by the injury that has ended his Rugby World Cup.
The star player tore a tendon in his groin during kicking practice on Saturday. He may need surgery and recovery could take up to three months.
Widely regarded as the best first five-eighth in the world, Carter has played 85 tests for New Zealand and was integral to the All Blacks' hopes of winning the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time on home soil after their only triumph in 1987.
On Monday the 29-year-old spoke publicly for the first time, saying the day he was injured was one of the craziest of his life.
He had been named All Black captain for the test against Canada as Richie McCaw had a foot injury, only to have that and his World Cup dreams taken away.
Carter has no idea what caused the injury, saying he was carrying out a lighter kicking session than usual and injured himself on the last of his four planned kicks for the day.
But he knew almost immediately that his World Cup campaign was in trouble when he collapsed in agony.
"I knew it was pretty serious because of the pain and because it was quite unusual. I kick thousands of balls; I've been doing that since I was a young fella and I've never had this happen."
Colin Slade replaced Carter for the match against Canada and Manawatu first five-eighth has been bought into the squad.
Carter describes the injury as "gut-wrenching" but says he will do anything in his power to help the All Blacks win the tournament without him.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen says Carter can still help out the All Blacks from behind the scenes, but can't be anywhere near where accreditation is required as he is no longer part of the 30-man World Cup squad.
