Carter named Crusaders deputy

8/01/2008 7:39:14 AM
Bob Schumacher
Sportal

All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter will become backline general and vice-captain of the Crusaders for the 2008 Super 14 campaign.

Carter has assumed the mantle from long-serving Crusader midfielder Aaron Mauger, who is now plying his trade for English club Leicester.

The Crusaders captaincy will remain for a fourth successive year with All Blacks captain and flanker Richie McCaw.

Crusaders and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said that the 25-year-old Carter was a logical replacement as vice-captain for Mauger because of his experience and his high standing in the Crusaders camp.

Although Carter has not captained a team since age-grade level, he said that decision-making was a collective responsibility nowadays and he believed there remained enough wise heads in the Crusaders team to help McCaw and himself out.

With the World Cup disappointment behind him, Carter has the Crusaders season foremost in his mind and is prepared to do the hard work to ensure he's in top physical condition for the international competition.

Meanwhile, an injury-free Crusaders squad started their first week of full-on training on Monday and former All Black wing Scott Hamilton reckons he is refreshed and ready for action despite it being mid-summer and cricket tests being in full swing..

"Some of us have been training since the end of November but there has been not much rugby content, just running mainly," Hamilton said.

Hamilton, who is starting his sixth Super 12 crusade, said that while the Crusaders had lost several stalwarts to clubs off-shore, he believed enough old hands remained to successfully integrate the clutch of new young players into the squad.

"We were competitive last year (when without the rested All Blacks for seven rounds) and we want to make the top four for a start then anything can happen."

Hamilton believes the Crusaders need to 'hit the ground running' when facing difficult start to the competition. Their opening match is against the Brumbies before a South African safari and a match against the Force on the way back from the Republic.

His own personal goal is to try and cement a position in the starting line-up where he faces competition at fullback from All Blacks incumbent Leon MacDonald and on the wing from veteran Caleb Ralph and exuberant newcomers Kade Poki and Sean Maitland.