Relaxed Dan Carter at Wellington hotel - Stuff.co.nz

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Hundreds of fans farewell the All Blacks

Kim Radovanovich, 39, contact centre manager from Camborne: "A little bit gutted obviously but I have enough faith in a good, strong team ... the All Blacks are just as good." Background photo: Dan Carter kicks for touch during his RWC game against France. JOHN SELKIRK

Gregor Peterson, 41, quality manager of Whangarei: "I think it's really sad for Dan Carter. I think he's positioned himself really well to be in this position. I think the All Blacks will play together and play well anyhow but I feel really sorry for him." Background photo: Dan Carter leaves the field with a groin strain after the captain's run. ANDREW GORRIE

John O'Kane, 55, panelbeater of Miramar: "It's a real shame. New Zealand can still win. If you are in there, you are in with a chance. With a loss of a guy like that, you are always going to be a bit affected." Background photo: All Black first-five Dan Carter slices through a gap during his game against France. JASON OXENHAM

Rico Stevens, 8, from Hataitai: "It's sad, a real downfall because Dan Carter is one of their best kickers. New Zealand should still win but our chances are slightly less." Background photo: Dan carter signs autographs at Waitangi Park in Wellington. ANDREW GORRIE

Kerrin Allott, 38, mother from Miramar: "We are very worried about it. It's a huge blow. New Zealand can still win - if you can't do it on home turf, you can't do it. It's going to be a hard slog though." Background photo: Dan Carter takes a kick during his Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies at Eden Park. PETER MEECHAM

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A relaxed-looking Dan Carter was spotted at a Wellington hotel, the day after it was announced his Rugby World Cup dream is over.

Carter suffered a serious groin injury on Saturday as he went through a kicking session, after the team's final 45-minute training session before yesterday's pool match against Canada.

The star player was out of the rest of the Rugby World Cup after a scan revealed the 29-year-old, 85-test All Blacks vice-captain had torn the adductor longus tendon in his left groin.

He is today preparing to leave Wellington - where the team has been staying at the Intercontinental Hotel - to fly to Auckland this afternoon to visit his surgeon.

Carter has been replaced in the squad by Manawatu Turbos' Aaron Cruden.

Dominion Post asked fans what they thought about the loss of Dan Carter from the Rugby World Cup All Blacks squad, and whether New Zealand could still win the cup.

Kerrin Allot, of Miramar said she was worried, but still confident: "It's a huge blow. New Zealand can still win - if you can't do it on home turf, you can't do it. It's going to be a hard slog though."

Kim Radovanovich, from Camborne, said she was a little bit gutted but still had faith in the All Blacks.

More than 200 fans gathered outside the InterContinental waiting for the team to board their bus this morning.

Sammy Jefthas has travelled from South Africa for the tournament. He waited for more than an hour  to see the team, and his main aim was to get a photo with Sonny Bill Williams. "I won't leave here until I get a photo with him."

His favourite player was Dan Carter. "I think it is very bad he got injured. I feel very sorry for him," he said.

Friends Laura Fraser, 24, and Whitney Holmes, 25, had been driving past when they noticed the All Blacks' bus.

"We had to stop and get a photo," Laura said. "I want to see Sonny Bill Williams because he is beautiful. He's just a beautiful man."

Australian navy fleet commander Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, who was staying at the hotel during Royal New Zealand Navy anniversary celebrations, got caught up in the crowd.

"I think it's fantastic," he laughed. "I thought they were here to say hello to the Australian Navy, but no, something else is going on."

Related stories:

Can we do it without Dan?

Carter senior's goal: Positivity

At least Zac's back to form

- The Dominion Post

03 Oct, 2011

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