Carter's sparkling once again
After being recalled to the All Blacks, scrumhalf Andy Ellis believes flyhalf Dan Carter has found his best form and regained his sparkle toward the end of the Super Rugby season.
Ellis, who has been revelling in his recall to the side ahead of the iconic Test against Samoa in Apia, thinks being injury-free has done wonders to the flyhalf's confidence.
"I think he's really fresh this year, his body is in really good condition, he feels good and he's been pretty cheeky lately – which is unlike him but a good thing. He's got a spark which I think is pretty exciting.
"Injury-free is the big thing. You don't realise how frustrating it can be for a guy like that when he has a little niggle that is hounding him," he said.
The scrumhalf was delighted to be back in the All Blacks setup and had always maintained a goal of wearing the black jersey again. He had to endure some tough moments in the last few years but it was one of the reasons he stayed in New Zealand – to play his best rugby.
"I've just come in here wanting to make the most of every moment, every opportunity, every training, every meeting, whenever there is a chance to learn. That's how I'm approaching it," he stated.
If he gets a chance in the Samoan Test and can nail his role, it would be a step in the right direction for him as the demands of the game had changed since his last act for the side – kicking the ball to touch to end the 2011 World Cup final.
"There's a really high work-rate, you've got to make the breakdowns and shift the ball quickly. That's how you break the defence structure these days, so that's pretty important," he said along with the usual core roles of tackling and kicking.
All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read saw long term benefits for the All Blacks from the Apia Test as several younger players coming into the set-up were laying a foundation that could have benefits for several years to come as a result of the disruption caused by the Hurricanes-Highlanders Super Rugby final.
"It gives those guys experience of the environment, the pressures and the different things that come with it.
"It's great to be going over to Samoa and it is great to be kicking off this year. We've only got five games to invent some really crucial things in our game and how we want to play before we get to the World Cup.
"This is the start, so it is a pretty important one for us. We'll be looking to go up there and play as well as we can. Obviously first Tests are always pretty difficult and bringing the new guys up to speed, we want to go up there and play as well as we can," he said.
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