Slade answers All Black SOS
The All Blacks on Wednesday named flyhalf Colin Slade as replacement for the injured Dan Carter for the New Zealanders' Rugby Championship campaign.
Carter cracked a fibula in the Crusaders Super Rugby Final loss to the Waratahs last weekend.
While surgery was not required, the most experienced No.10 in New Zealand history will be sidelined for at least four weeks – which means he will miss at least three of New Zealand's six Championship games, including two against Australia.
"The All Black squad for the Rugby Championship has been amended with Colin Slade called up as injury cover for 100-Test playmaker Daniel Carter," the New Zealand Rugby Union said in a statement.
However, Slade is only likely to get a game if injury again strikes the All Blacks, with coach Steve Hansen expected to start Aaron Cruden as pivot and name Beauden Barrett on the bench.
Slade, 26, has played just 11 Tests since his debut in 2010, with his international career frequently interrupted by injury, including two broken jaws, a broken ankle, and a groin injury during the 2011 World Cup.
He has performed strongly for the Crusaders this year, helping them reach the Final – as Carter sat out most of the season on sabbatical.
Slade, the third highest point's scorer during the recently completed Super Rugby tournament with 198 points and four tries, has been in solid form of late, especially from the kicking tee.
