Dan Carter’s place in the All Blacks has come under scrutiny due to a series of ineffective displays.
Our #360debate today is: Is Dan Carter still the man for New Zealand?
Niall McCague, Online Journalist, thinks YES
Dan Carter may not have performed to his decorated best against Australia on Saturday, but one bad game should not define his otherwise permanent class as the world’s best out-half.
Despite scoring three out of three penalties, his sole misfortunes were two missed conversions and poor kicking from hand.
Carter’s supposed downfall is hyped, and no doubt when the Rugby World Cup rolls into London in September, his experience and skillset will be central to the All Blacks’ ambitions of a third world title.
His capabilities as a match-winner were highlighted only four weeks ago against Samoa, as he inspired the All Blacks to an historic victory.
It’s fair to say the Islanders aren’t brimming with world class talent but the manner in which he orchestrated the game highlighted his reputation as one of the game’s greatest players.
This was seen through his metronomic accuracy with the boot, posting seven out of eight kicks and also the delivery of a cleverly weighed crossfield kick for George Moala’s try.
Every international coach tasked with selecting their best squad want confidence, skill and experience, all of which Carter possesses in droves. Added to this, he controls the pace in attack better than any other New Zealand out-half at present.
Colin Slade, 27, and Beauden Barrett, 24, are the two replacement 10s, both of whom are impressive talents but their lack of experience at crucial moments of the game may curtail the team’s impact.
.@DanCarter Regardless of the result mate, congratulations on an incredible achievement. #1500
— Nathan Hines (@Wagga5) August 8, 2015
If you analyse Carter’s game there are few weaknesses: he has a quality long and short kicking game, he’s solid in defence, dictates the tempo of matches, makes valuable yards in attack and is an accurate goal kicker.
Most world-class players will come under scrutiny at many stages during their career. But to dominate in a position like No10 for more than a decade like Carter requires a natural ability to handle pressure at key moments.
The decision making and experience continues to confirm Carter’s status as the best in the world.
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Matt Monaghan, Reporter, thinks NO
It is tantamount to iconoclasm but the time has arrived for New Zealand to look beyond legendary fly-half Dan Carter.
Even at 33, Carter continues to tread new ground, becoming the first player to pass the 1,500-point barrier in Tests during Saturday’s 27-19 Rugby Championship loss to bitter rivals in Australia.
Yet there is an increasing air of sterility and fallibility which surrounds him with little more than a month remaining until the Rugby World Cup kicks off.
A brave call is needed from head coach Steve Hansen to keep a hold on the trophy and to sacrifice Carter to a bench role now fits the bill.
Can Carter’s body be trusted to hold up for a month of red-hot competiton? The last two seasons have featured frequent interruptions because of muscle problems, affecting his rhythm.
Not the result we were after but the @Wallabies were just too good tonight. The beauty is we get another crack at it next week.
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) August 8, 2015
The All Blacks needed a huge performance from him in Sydney and it did not arrive. Crucial conversions went wide in the second half as the Wallabies turned the screw.
This metronomic ability with the boot has seen his nation through many sticky moments during an exceptional 12-year representative career. Without it, the onus turns to his impact with ball in hand.
For a man with an impressive 29 Test tries it is incredible to think this figure has not been added to since he crossed over against Scotland in November 2010, creating a dry spell of 28 fixtures.
Hurricanes attacking hub Beauden Barrett looked much more dangerous in the 2014 Rugby Championship, while Lima Sopoaga has been peerless for Super Rugby champions Highlanders.
The value of what fresh faces and new ideas can bring was on show from both sides during the Bledisloe Cup contest.
Wallabies scrum-half Nic White came off the bench to kick a penalty and convert his own try. For New Zealand, full-back Nehe Milner-Skudder delivered on the pre-match hype to score twice on debut.
Carter deserves to make the trip to England next month, yet the hallowed No10 jersey can no longer be unquestionably his.
