The All Blacks first five Dan Carter has been ruled out of Perpignan's European Cup game against Leicester this weekend despite having started his six-month contract with the French side yesterday.
Carter is on his way to Milan with several other All Blacks for a two-day equipment promotional later this week before returning to Perpignan on Friday, which means he'll miss training on Thursday.
After his 6-months in France, Carter will be home in time for the All Blacks next tests, against France and Italy in June.
Meanwhile, Australia'srugby boss John O'Neill has ruled out the possibility of Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau spending the off-season playing club rugby in France.
Giteau told British reporters at the weekend he'd had a 7-figure offer to join Bayonne, even though the French club denied it.
O'Neill says Giteau can't play in France until 2011 when his contract with Australia's Western Force Super 14 franchise expires.
