Dan Carter talks to the media in Auckland © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dan Carter

Teams: New Zealand

Dan Carter has revealed he wanted nothing more than to forget the Rugby World Cup after suffering an injury that ruled him out of the tournament.

The All Blacks fly-half injured his groin in a training session ahead of New Zealand's Pool A clash against Canada in Wellington. He underwent surgery in Melbourne before returning to New Zealand.

Initially he found it difficult to watch the All Blacks' campaign progress but he is now starting to enjoy the World Cup again, albeit from the stands rather than centre-field.

"Anger did creep in a little bit,'' Carter said. "I was just so gutted and didn't want anything to do with the World Cup. And then it hit me after five or six days and I realised the World Cup is here in my home country and I'm going to make the most of it like everyone else and actually get to some games.

"I wasn't going to get to any games, I dropped my lip a bit. I decided to get to the games and enjoy the atmosphere and it's been quite different for me. I've loved every minute of it - the people who have come into New Zealand for the World Cup and also the New Zealanders who have got right in behind it. I've really enjoyed that side of things and also continuing to work with the team has been great."

Carter has been back in the New Zealand camp and offering advice to Aaron Cruden, who has taken the No.10 shirt following injuries to Carter and Colin Slade. And he insists the All Blacks will not underestimate the threat posed by France despite their problematic progression to the final.

"It's a very exciting situation that we're in - a final against France, our arch-nemesis at World Cup time," he said. "We all know the past that we've had with the French. They're such a dangerous side when their backs are against the wall.

"Having a lot of doubters, that's when they're best and they've shown that in 2007 and also in 1999. We have to expect the unexpected and the French are the best at doing something to surprise us.

"It's not too bad during the week because I can still been involved and still give my feedback, but having watched the last two games, the weekends are the probably the toughest for me.

"Sitting there, I get extremely nervous. I'm not a very good spectator. That's when it's really tough, when I see the guys out on the field. I have a sense of no control, I'm so used to being out there and trying to make a difference on the field.''