By Jim Kayes, in Buenos Aires
Dan Carter has had a limited role at training, but coach Steve Hansen is adamant the star first-five eight is on track to start against Argentina in Sunday's Rugby Championship match.
But Hansen says although he is happy Carter is fit and ready to play again, that isn't a slight on how Aaron Cruden has done in his absence.
"One guy’s played a handful of tests and the other guy's just about played 100, so the experience factor's huge,” says Hansen. “One guy’s at the top of the tree and the confidence of knowing that he's one of the best players in the world.”
Carter's return is important, but the pack needs to improve its efficiency, clearing bodies at the break down if the All Blacks are to have the quick ball needed to power their attack.
"The problem we had against South Africa, we were wasting too many men on one person. We have a policy of one man, one bullet and if you're wasting three or four bullets on one bloke, you've run out of ammo," says Hansen.
They have plenty of shots to fire with wing Julian Savea hoping to impress again in a country where he starred when New Zealand won the under-20s world title two years ago.
With Carter fit again, the now fully-armed All Blacks are hoping to be picture-perfect against the Pumas.
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