All Blacks squad for Argentina, South Africa

WELLINGTON (AFP) –

All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter, pictured in June 2012, is recovering well from injury and is expected to be fit for the team’s remaining Rugby Championship matches away against Argentina and South Africa, coach Steve Hansen said.

All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter is recovering well from injury and is expected to be fit for the team’s remaining Rugby Championship matches away against Argentina and South Africa, coach Steve Hansen said Friday.

Carter has been cleared to travel but a third fly-half, Beauden Barrett, has been added to the 28-man squad as a precaution, with prop Wyatt Crockett losing out on a place.

“Dan is recovering well from his calf injury and we are expecting him to be fit for selection for the Argentinian Test,” Hansen said.

“As we are only able to take 28 players on tour, to include Beauden we unfortunately have to leave one player behind and the logical choice was for a prop to miss out.”

The All Blacks are unbeaten in the championship after four matches and will wrap up the title with a game to spare if they beat Argentina in Buenos Aires on September 29.

Their final match, against South Africa, is in Johannesburg on October 6.

Carter, the world’s most prolific points scorer, missed the last two matches because of a calf strain but has been doing light training in the past week as well as pilates and weights sessions.

New Zealand squad

Backs: Aaron Smith, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Aaron Cruden, Tamati Ellison, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Israel Dagg, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Julian Savea.

Forwards: Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Richie McCaw (c), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Adam Thomson, Victor Vito.