The maestro may be missing but the performance bar hasn’t been lowered.

All Blacks assistant coach and backline specialist Wayne Smith made that clear as he gave Colin Slade a big vote of confidence for the difficult assignment of navigating the All Blacks World Cup course in the absence of the injured Dan Carter.

Smith said there is nothing but respect for Slade from his peers.

While Slade is young in international terms with just nine tests and four starts to his name, Smith feels he has a winning pedigree in every team he has played for, from age-grade rugby through to Super Rugby.

He has all the understanding of the All Blacks systems.

It is now a matter of implementing those under demanding circumstances like Sunday night's World Cup quarterfinal against Argentina in Auckland.

Smith said that the All Blacks forward pack will lay the platform for Slade to control the game.