6 Aug 2014

Slade called into All Blacks

12:48 pm on 6 August 2014

The Crusaders first five Colin Slade has been called into the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship as cover for the injured Dan Carter.

Crusaders first five Colin Slade

Crusaders first five Colin Slade Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Carter will miss at least the first two matches after fracturing his leg in the Super Rugby final on Saturday.

Scans revealed a small crack in Carter's fibula and while it will not require surgery, recovery is expected to take four weeks.

Aaron Cruden is likely to start the first match against Australia in Sydney on Saturday week with Beauden Barrett expected to come off the bench.

Slade's last game for the All Blacks was August last year, although he was a part of the squad for the June internationals against England.

World champions New Zealand, who have won the first two Rugby Championship titles, will be aiming to set a new record for top tier nations with an 18th successive victory when they take on Australia at Sydney's Olympic Stadium next week.