Carter not far off return

Injured Canterbury and All Blacks first five-eighth Daniel Carter believes he isn't far from a return to the rugby field.

Carter, 27, said he could make his playing return in a month's time for Canterbury in the Air New Zealand Cup, with rehabilitation from his ruptured Achilles tendon continuing well.

The domestic competition begins in two weeks' time and Carter hoped to play a relatively early role in it, possibly opening the way for an All Blacks return in their two final Investec Tri Nations tests in September.
"The early rounds of the Air NZ Cup are looking promising," Carter told The Press.

"In the last couple of weeks I've been doing a bit of speed work and playing some anaerobic games with the Canterbury boys as well. I can run freely and it's just about getting that spring and bounce back in my injured leg.

"I haven't started contact yet and I guess that will be the next test. In terms of running, there's no nerves or apprehension about that."
Carter, who suffered the injury in January while playing for French club Perpignan, hoped he could participate in full team training by the end of this month.

Canterbury's campaign begins away to North Harbour on August 1, with the first home game, against Waikato on August 14, a possible first appearance for the 59-test veteran.

"I've done so much rehab on it now that the tendon is strong and it's just a matter of getting that last 10 per cent out of it," he said.

"It's frustrating doing all this training and not having the reward of playing at the end of the week.

"I'm keen to get back out there and that's positive, because it shows the hunger is there. But I won't play unless I'm 100 percent."

If Carter isn't deemed ready for Tri Nations tests against South Africa on September 12 (Hamilton) and Australia on September 19 (Wellington), he will probably be named in their season-ending tour squad.