When a player works four years to get in prime condition for the World Cup it is very sad when they get injured. The way a player handles his disappointment shows his metal. There are disappointments in your career and adversity makes you a better person. There might be many more disappointed players at this stage but the three Southern Hemisphere partners each lost one or more of their best players.

Here is the Dan Carter story.

Frans Steyn, Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu can be added as big losses.

Dan Carter knew straight away the dream was over

New Zealand star Dan Carter has spoken for the first time about the groin injury that brought a premature end to his Rugby World Cup 2011.

The All Black fly half told a packed media conference that the injury was such that he knew immediately he would take no further part in RWC 2011.

“I knew it was pretty serious because of the pain and because it was quite unusual. I’ve kicked thousands of balls since I was a young fella and I’ve never had this happen kicking a ball,” he said.

“It felt like it popped, hence going down to the ground in agony.”

Carter said he was having a shorter kicking session than usual on Saturday. Instead of kicking 20 balls at the captain’s run, he only kicked four and it was the final kick that did the damage.

“It’s really frustrating, the pure randomness of the injury and for it come out of the blue,” he said.

“My body was really good leading into the week and I haven’t had any groin, adductor or hip problems in the past. So for something like this to happen . . .

“It has been really tough to try and put my finger on why and constantly asking ‘why did this happen?’ and I don’t have the answer unfortunately.”

Tough days

Since that moment, Carter’s emotions have seesawed.

“Lying in bed on Saturday night was pretty tough, looking back on what was probably one of the most craziest days of my life,” he said.

“To be named All Black captain is something very special and to have that taken away from you through an injury, and later to find out that my dream of being involved in a World Cup is over – so it has been a pretty tough couple of days.”

Carter said the overwhelming show of support has helped him come to terms with the disappointment.

“I’m lucky to have some great people alongside me. My teammates and management, so many friends and family from all around New Zealand helps me move on,” he said.

“It’s a little bit different behind closed doors. I tend to let out my frustration a lot. But being around the team really spurs me on to think positively. Moping around is not going to help them.”

Now that Aaron Cruden has come into the team, Carter must surrender his accreditation and will not be able to stay with the team.

“It’s pretty gut-wrenching and disappointing, what’s happened, but I have to get over that and continue to think positively and help the guys out whatever way I can.”

Carter plans to attend matches as a spectator and give feedback to his teammates.

All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen said the team will get on with the job of winning the World Cup.

“Colin Slade needs to understand that he’s Colin Slade, doesn’t have to be Dan Carter, and what the rest of the team needs to do is just do their job a little bit better and take up the slack that might have been left without ‘DC’,” Hansen said.

“Injuries happen all the time. There are disappointments in your career and adversity makes you a better person. I’m sure DC will come through this stronger and an even better man that he is now.”