All Black playmaker Dan Carter has spoken for the first time since a groin injury ruled him out of the rest of the Rugby World Cup, saying that while the injury was “gut-wrenching”, there were more important things to think about.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Carter said the injury was disappointing and frustrating, especially as it had “come out of the blue”.

But he added that he would still be doing everything he could to help the All Blacks lift the World Cup for the first time since 1987 and he did not want to dwell on “what-ifs” knowing the players who are in the team.