Flood: stopping Carter crucial

IT IS little wonder Toby Flood highlighted the importance of keeping Dan Carter locked down at Twickenham today — because the statistics show he is good enough to beat England on his own.

Carter has played eight Tests against England, dating back to Dunedin in the summer of 2004, and the average score is: Carter 19 England 12.

The imperious All Blacks fly-half averages more points per game against England than any other team in the Six Nations or Tri-Nations.

Carter is just 52 points short of overtaking Jonny Wilkinson as the world’s leading international point-scorer.

“We need to manage him as well as possible.

“He is a huge part of what they do,” Flood said.

Carter has only lost nine times in 75 Test appearances. The most notable and the most recent both finished with him off the field, prompting suggestions the All Blacks are lost without him.

When New Zealand lost to France in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, Carter had been replaced with a calf problem.

Last weekend, Carter was replaced midway through the second half of the Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia as the All Blacks managed his return from ankle surgery.

Stephen Donald came on, made two key mistakes and the Wallabies snatched a 26-24 victory with the final play of the game to end New Zealand’s 15-Test unbeaten run.

For all his superstar status back home, Carter remains modest and he insisted this week that the All Blacks do not rely too heavily on him and captain fantastic Richie McCaw.

“I don’t think it all fell apart because I came off. I don’t think this team is overreliant on Richie and I,” he said.

“We are a big part of this team, we have been around for a long time as captain and vice-captain but we are growing a strong core of leaders.

“There are guys in the team who have played a lot of Test matches. We have some young exciting players and a good balance. I am still confident in the other players, for sure.”

Meanwhile, Nick Easter believes England have finally got things right off the field — now it is time to deliver on it.

The England number eight has been a part of the national setup for over three years and he admitted the environment has not always been conducive to a successful team.

But Easter is a man from the old school and he knows that a tight-knit squad off the field makes for a better team when battle commences.

England will be in for a ferocious battle against the All Blacks today but Easter is convinced the new-look side should be able to handle it because of the changes that have been made in the camp over the last year.

“There is much more of a club environment. Everyone has spent more time together and made a conscious effort whereas before everyone stuck to their own,” said Easter.

“It is about getting to know the guys, getting to know what they are like as a rugby player so you have that continuity when you hit the field in training or in a game.

“Everyone is enjoying each other’s company and they are enjoying being around which perhaps could not have been said in times gone by.”