The All Blacks have kicked off their build-up to next week's Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia with a variety of regional visits.
Skipper Richie McCaw was in Rotorua, while Dan Carter made the trip north to the Bay of Islands. Opua in the winterless north is similar in size to Carter's hometown of Southbridge.
Having had to watch, injured, as the All Blacks won the title again three years ago, Carter's determined to be there on the field next year.
"That's the plan, I haven't changed my plans or thought about it too much to be honest," he says.
A broken bone in his right leg has him walking with a limp, but it didn't stop him being centre of attention at Paihia Primary and isn't the calamity some suggest it is.
"It's an injury that can happen anytime you're on the rugby field. You get a direct blow, it's a physical game and things like this can happen.
"It's a minor setback; it's not a serious injury or changing my goals."
Carter's still a fan favourite, but calls for the coaches to look past him and skipper Richie McCaw are growing. It mystifies Jerome Kaino.
"They've shown that when people wrote them off they come out and show by their actions what they can do.
"I don't know who's been writing them off but I'm looking forward to getting into camp with them and getting the job done," he says.
3 News
source: newshub archive
