Crocked Carter's comeback delayed

All Blacks veteran Dan Carter's comeback has been further delayed, as he struggles to overcome his latest injury setbacks.

Carter has been ruled out of next week's third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane, due to his slow recovery.

All Black coach Steve Hansen said he wants Carter to continue rehabilitating from the problems that have resulted in just 40 minutes of NPC action since fracturing his leg during the Super Rugby Final 10 weeks ago.

The 32-year-old will miss another game for Canterbury, against Taranaki on Sunday, due to shin pain.

Coach Scott Robertson reckons Carter could be ready to play in their semifinal the following weekend, but Hansen says any chances of a Test recall have disappeared.

Hansen told Radio Sport that the world record Test points-scorer should now target an All Blacks return against the United States in Chicago on November 1.

"We won't take him to Brisbane, and DC [Carter] believes this as well, that we are better to get him going and confident and happy in himself in his game," Hansen said.

Carter's last All Blacks test – his 100th – was against England in London 11 months ago.

Hansen is likely to restore Aaron Cruden at No.10 for the Wallabies Test in place of Beauden Barrett.

Cruden was dropped from the Rugby Championship Tests away to Argentina and South Africa after missing the team flight out of Auckland, after he went on a booze binge the night before.

Hansen confirmed outside back Ben Smith will be rested from the Brisbane Test and will also miss the Chicago game because of fatigue, meaning he will next play against England at Twickenham on November 8 at the earliest.

World class finisher Smith's massive workload of the last two years was catching up with him, Hansen said.

Source: NZ Newswire