Celebrations for captain Richie McCaw's 100th All Black Test have been tempered by the withdrawal of first five Dan Carter from their World Cup match against Japan in Hamilton, on Friday night.
Carter, who suffered a back injury in the All Blacks win over Tonga in the tournament opener, was initially named in the starting fifteeen but was ruled this afternoon when his back stiffened up after training.
He's been replaced by Colin Slade.
However All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson doesn't believe Carter's injury will keep him out of other World Cup matches and she's confident he'll back training fully next week, in preparation for what looms as a pivotal pool match against France in Wellington on Saturday week.
