Dan Carter is one of three No.10 options at the All Blacks' disposal © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

Article: Kieran Read to offload pain on England

Article: US defeated by 'legendary Aussie side'

Verdict: Kiwis blow away Eagles in Windy City

Audio/Video: Playing All Blacks 'massive' - Brown

Dan Carter is the right man to wear the All Blacks' No.10 jersey against England this weekend despite playing just 30 minutes as a replacement against the United States, according to former Test fly-half Andrew Mehrtens.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is faced with a difficult decision in the playmaking role this week with Carter, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett all available for selection. Cruden started against the Eagles last weekend after missing the final two Rugby Championship rounds through suspension and then missing selection for Bledisloe III, while Barrett sat out the 74-6 victory in Chicago after impressing in all three of those encounters. But Mehrtens believes it's time Carter was restored to the starting line-up, saying his lack of game time over recent months shouldn't be a concern.

"A half an hour of Dan Carter in Chicago was enough to persuade me that it's time to throw the master five-eighth back into the deep end against the English at Twickenham this weekend," Mehrtens wrote for stuff.co.nz.

"It's a selection headache for Steve Hansen - just who he starts at No.10 against the Poms with three quality options at his disposal. But I'd be tempted to give Carter the nod, even after so little rugby this year. It felt like he blew some cobwebs out in the first few minutes at Soldier Field and you could see he was trying really hard to be energetic and keen, which was a good thing. Preparing through a week knowing he's starting will help."

Recent clashes between England and the All Blacks have been keenly fought with Stuart Lancaster's side going close to victory in two of the three Tests in New Zealand earlier this year. Mehrtens said Carter's experience could be crucial at Twickenham while his goal-kicking was superior to that of his playmaking rivals.

"On goal-kicking alone, you'd take Carter in. He was very, very good against the US - Aaron Cruden not so much in an aspect of the game that could be crucial against England," he wrote. "There are suggestions Carter's not ready for a test of this magnitude at Twickenham, but I disagree. He loves these big occasions and I saw enough in Chicago to feel like he's up to it physically."