NEW ZEALAND celebrations for captain Richie McCaw’s 100-cap milestone were tempered yesterday when outhalf Dan Carter was ruled out of their World Cup match against Japan with persistent back soreness.

Carter, who suffered a back strain in the All Blacks’ 41-10 win over Tonga in the tournament opener, was initially named in the starting 15 for tomorrow’s game but it was clear the injury had not fully healed during a light training session, the team said in a statement.

“The key thing is that Daniel had been recovering well from a stiff lower back,” All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson said. “However, he pulled up sore at an indoor training session this morning so we have made the decision not to risk him for the Japan match and we will aim to have him back fully training next week in preparation for the France test.”

The All Blacks play their pool match against World Cup nemesis France on September 24th in Auckland and the news of Carter’s injury is likely to prompt some hand-wringing amongst New Zealand fans in the lead-up. The Carter setback means a promotion for stand-in Colin Slade to the starting 15 while forcing a bench reshuffle. Scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan comes in as a replacement with Piri Weepu providing cover for Slade.

The injury also took some of the gloss off the All Blacks’ team announcement for the match against Japan, which will see skipper McCaw become the first player to win 100 international caps for New Zealand when he runs out at Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium.

The milestone is a “truly remarkable achievement”, All Blacks coach Graham Henry said in Hamilton yesterday.

Fullback Mils Muliaina has been recalled to the side to win his 99th cap, as he continues his battle with Israel Dagg for the starting spot for the rest of the tournament.