GONEBURGER!

[Wobbly]

 :(Daniel Carter.  

[jules]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/5717524/Dan-Carter-ruled-out-of-Rugby-World-Cup

Carter out, Cruden in the squad officially. It will be up to Slade to show he has the poise today against the Canadians, otherwise it will be definite scramble time with Cruden and Weepu the other options at 10.

Aaargh!

[Hamish]

My feelings about this are unprintable

[irishcure]

Really am gutted for Carter. All your career pointing towards this moment and then it's over just like that.

But heads up guys... tis a WC... and tis about more than superstars afterall. And what makes the ABs the perennial favourites is their teamplay and squad depth - not the individuals.  Maybe this is precisely what the ABs needed to take that overwhelming pressure off and they can now go into every game knowing they have to fight tooth and nail all the way through.

True this makes things more level... but I'd still put ye out front to take the title. (Or at least to put up a respectable show agains the men in green in the final  )

[megweya]

A sporting tragedy - everyone wants to see the best perform on the biggest stage.

Megweya

[BallBoy]

"last man standing" that will win the WC

no more the luxury of letting the second team play a game or two in the pool stages - at least in certain pools - teams are far more competitive these days - just ask the French. (Lest not forget that the Boks would have lost to the same team in 2007 had the ball bounced left instead of right)

my prediction is that we'll see many more big names gone in next round

so who's the big names out so far:
for SA - Frans Steyn and Juan Smith (never mad ethe trip though)
for Aus, Hear Drew Mitchell is under the cloud and not sure about Digby
Kiwi's, Carter.. not sure about Read
Poms, Johny under cloud (but think it will be a blessing for them)

[Geeves]

Pity about Carter.  Can anyone else here the collective groan of 4 million kiwi’s.  Next RWC I must remember to invest in the company that distributes anti-depressants in NZ.

For Aus yep Mitchel is definitely out and Palu has also been sent home.  Digby should be playing against SA on the weekend.

I also think the French lost there spirt somewhere as well.