All Blacks v Pumas: Dan Carter ruled out

All Blacks first five Dan Carter will sit out his side’s match against Argentina in Wellington this Saturday night due to a calf strain.

Aaron Cruden will take his place in the run-on team, while Taranaki’s Beauden Barrett, who made his test debut against Ireland during the June series, comes into the reserves.

Coach Steve Hansen says Carter has been struggling with the injury all week, but only withdrew from the side after being named in it this morning.

“Dan has been carrying a tight left calf this week, but had been hopeful of playing.

“However, at training this morning it was apparent he would not be able to play. We have done the sensible thing and withdrawn him from the team.”

For Cruden, Carter’s misfortune gives him an opportunity to build on his scintillating form for the Chiefs.

In his last test start, the third Ireland international in Hamilton, the pint-sized pivot produced an outstanding 24 mintunes before retiring hurt with a leg injury.

He has since been forced to warm the bench, but did look sharp in his cameo off it against the Wallabies at Eden Park last month.

All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw ©, Victor Vito, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith. (Source: rugbynews.co.nz)

Wallabies v Springboks: Beale back for Australia

Kurtley Beale will return at fullback and wing Dom Shipperley will make his test debut when the Wallabies tackle the Springboks in Perth on Saturday night.

Beale was cut from Australia’s starting team following his dreadful outing against the All Blacks in Sydney.

However, the side’s backline is in desperate need of some attacking thrust after crossing for just six tries in six tests and will be hoping the 23-year-old can provide that from the back.

The speedy Shipperley owes his selection to his tryscoring form for the Reds in Super Rugby and replaces the crocked Drew Mitchell.

With Beale at fullback, Adam Ashley-Cooper relocates to centre. The utility back will provide good size and an attacking edge in the midfield, which up until this point has lacked creativity.

The other change sees veteran No 8 Radike Samo replace Scott Higginbotham at the back of the scrum.

Hooker Stephen Moore, who will become his country’s most capped player in that position, surpassing Jeremy Paul’s mark of 72 tests, keeps his place in the starting team ahead of Tatafu Polota-Nau.

Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, Dominic Shipperley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Radike Samo, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson

Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Mike Harris, Anthony Faingaa. (Source: rugbynews.co.nz)