All Blacks Carter & Woodcock to miss Ireland clash

All Black stars Dan Carter and Tony Woodcock have been ruled out of New Zealand’s clash this weekend against Ireland in Dublin.

Carter left the field in the All Blacks 22-30 victory over England at Twickenham and it has now been confirmed he has an Achilles tendon injury.

All Black prop Woodcock has been ruled out of New Zealand’s final Test of the 2013 season with a hamstring injury.

The All Blacks had planned to send some players home early to be rested but coach Steve Hansen says that the group will now stay together.

“Once those two (Carter and Woodcock) got injured there were only going to be two going home,” said Hansen on the All Blacks site.

“So we spoke to the rugby union and they were of the same opinion of myself, that it’s better to keep the group together and see out the season.”

Carter has been given extended leave for the first half of next year so his injury means that he will now effectively begin his leave.

Coach Hansen said that he had not decided wither he would start Aaron Cruden or Beauden Barrett against Ireland.

“Dan has not had a scan yet, but Doc said with the problems he’s been having it’s just too big a risk to go through the week,” he said.

“We’ve got Crudes and Beauden who can both do the job, so we’ll just get on with it with those two.”