Dan Carter will be out of action for New Zealand after the news that he needs surgery on his ankle.

Whilst the Tri-Nations is already won and the All Blacks have just one game to play, Carter’s involvement in their tour to the Northern Hemisphere could be in jeopardy.

Carter has been stuggling with the niggle all season and has still played on throughout for the Crusaders and New Zealand, but the team doctor confirmed that it had reached the stage where surgery was required.