The All Blacks first fives Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett will have more time to stake a claim for the starting role with Daniel Carter not expected to return to the side until at least the final two rounds of the Rugby Championship.
Dan Carter Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Carter, who broke his leg during the Super Rugby final, had initially hoped to be sidelined for only a month and be available for the All Blacks' clash against Argentina in Napier on September the 6th.
The 32-year-old, however, says he's not expecting to play until the New Zealand side travels to Argentina and South Africa for their final two matches in the southern hemisphere competition.
The All Blacks will face the Springboks in Wellington on September the 13 before they head to Argentina for a September 27th match in La Plata.
They conclude the championship against South Africa in Johannesburg at the start of October.
Cruden has assumed the starting role increasingly over the last two seasons as Carter battled a succession of injuries, but was off-key against Australia in Sydney and could find his position under scrutiny if he does not perform at Eden Park.
Barrett was considered the form No.10 in Super Rugby but has yet to start in the position under coach Steve Hansen, who prefers to inject the Wellington Hurricanes pivot off the bench in Test matches.
