By Jim Kayes
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has signalled his intention to stay in New Zealand after the World Cup. It's understood he has yet to re-resign with the New Zealand Rugby Union, but he intends to do just that.
However there's no word yet on Dan Carter's long-term future. Although his short-term will be on the sidelines, after he re-injured his troublesome hamstring.
Carter first hurt the hamstring playing the Sharks in London and missed last week's match against the Bulls. However the Crusaders insist he wasn't rushed back.
"Obviously our medical staff put him through the protocols for return to play and he ticked all the boxes," says the Crusaders' assistant coach, Daryl Gibson. "Unfortunately today he's had something that's not gone quite right for him and he's had another little tear."
Carter's likely to miss next week's match against the Highlanders too, with Matt Berquist taking his place after a solid performance against the Bulls.
But it's believed McCaw's wary of putting pressure on Carter, who is being wooed by some massive European offers.
"When guys you enjoy playing alongside do recommit perhaps it does have a wee bit of influence," McCaw says. "But that can't be your sole reason as well."
And that's especially true for Carter, who is said to have up to 6.6 million reasons for heading to Paris.
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