Dan Carter out for the first two tests of the French series

As the All Blacks coach delivered the news that Dan Carter was out for the first two tests of the French series, Steve Hansen did his best to look solemn and disappointed.

But the reality is the Carter’s enforced absence fits perfectly with his plan for this three-test series which starts on Saturday night at the scene of their epic World Cup final in 2011.

So while Hansen was outwardly grave that the broken right hand will force Carter to miss both the Eden Park and Christchurch contests, inwardly he might have been smiling just a little.

With Carter, halfback Piri Weepu (head knock) and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock (inner nose abscess) all ruled out of Saturday night’s opening test of the season, it has allowed Hansen to advance his plan significantly.

Also factor in that Richie McCaw (sabbatical) is sitting out this series and Sam Whitelock (broken finger) and Cory Jane (knee) are both sidelined. All are first-choice All Blacks when fit.

So while the match 23 for Saturday contains only two debutants – prop Ben Afeaki and lock Jeremy Thrush, both on the bench – it also includes a healthy swag of what might be called next-generation players.

And that’s just fine by Hansen.

“We’ve already said that this year we’ve got to take some risks and give people opportunities to play and establish whether they’re the future or not, and that’s what we’ve got to do,” Hansen said today.

“Only two guys have their debut so I think we’re managing the process pretty well. We’ve just got to now back it up.”

So that makes this a big test for a group of players who have a clear chance to advance their claims. Included in that are loosehad prop Wyatt Crockett (11 tests), hooker Dane Coles (four), flanker Sam Cane (four), first-five Aaron Cruden (20) and utility Ben Smith (12).

You could probably throw lock Luke Romano (11 tests) and halfback Aaron Smith (13) into that category too, as players relatively new to this level still forging their identities and their reputations.

Hansen spoke about the “long-term plan” he has with Coles and that even the veteran hookers in the squad had bought into the fact that they needed to advance the education of the 26-year-old Hurricanes No 2.

The same theory could be applied to Crockett stepping up as a successor to Woodcock whose powers may be declining, and to Cruden preparing to fill the boots of Carter whose abilities remain pretty sharp.

Ben Smith is also being groomed as a linchpin of the new generation All Black backline, and Saturday night represents a big chance for him to translate outstanding Super Rugby form into something positive in the black jersey.

The same with Cane who gets a clear run at No 7 without the formidable shadow of McCaw looming over him.

Even a couple of the more established figures like Aaron Smith and Romano will appreciate the chance to forge something positive. Smith was outstanding in his first season of test rugby last year but has had his form challenges in 2013 in a competitive position, while Romano gets the chance to establish his starting credentials with Whitelock sidelined for the first two tests.

Hansen said Woodcock had been no chance to play this week.

“He’s got a pretty bad infection and we’re not prepared to risk him and flatten him for the rest of the series,” he said.

“He’s had a pretty interrupted season so far, so we’ll get him over the infection, back to normality and we’ll look at him next week.”

Weepu could have played, Hansen said, but they were taking no chances after his dramatic KO in Dunedin on Saturday night.

“He’s good as gold, he’s passed all the tests but it’s a three-test series, we’ve got three halfbacks and it’s just not worth the risk,” Hansen said.

It’s an admirable stance from the All Blacks at a time when head knocks are coming under the microscope in all sports.

Hansen also confirmed Blues youngsters Steven Luatua, Charles Piutau and Francis Saili, not needed for the first test, would not be released to play for their franchise against the French in Albany on Tuesday night.

“They’ll be in Christchurch and they might even be preparing to play down in Christchurch,” he said.

Don’t be surprised.

This is that sort of a series – one eye on winning tests, and one eye on winning a World Cup.

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (c), Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Afeaki, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Rene Ranger.

– © Fairfax NZ News