New Zealand
Carter returning through ITM Cup
ESPN Staff
September 15, 2014
Dan Carter has been unavailable since the Super Rugby final in August © Getty Images
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Dan Carter is set to make his return to rugby through the ITM Cup in the coming weeks. Carter looks likely to join the unbeaten Canterbury side in their race to win their sixth successive ITM Cup title. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen stated yesterday Carter's return would be through Canterbury and he was likely to start against North Habour, in Albany, on September 24.

The All Black fly-half has been out of action since fracturing his leg in the Super Rugby final in August and last played for the All Blacks during their European tour in November last year. He will now have to work his way back to fitness with Canterbury before he is available for the third, dead rubber Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane in October.

"Dan is going to come back in the NPC," Hansen told NZ Herald. "He'll have a graduated programme. Whether he comes in or plays 40 or 60 [minutes] and will play 60 or 80 the following week . . . that will be with the idea of being available for the Brisbane test."

Carter will have to face-off against Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett who have been intensely contesting the No.10 jersey throughout the Rugby Championship. While his presence for Canterbury will temporarily boost their fly-half stocks after Tyler Bleyendaal was ruled out for the season with a prolapsed disk.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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