AUCKLAND: Most of New Zealand phoned emergency services when Dan Carter went down with his groin injury, but Colin Slade's former teacher believes there is no need for a nation to panic.

Not only does Stephen Dods think that Slade could turn out to be better than Carter, he is even prepared to commit possibly the most heretical act in Kiwi culture: suggest the nation's most famous crock will not even get back in the All Blacks side.

Colin Slade against Canada during New Zealand's final pool game on Sunday. Credit:Getty Images

Dods, the head of sport at Christchurch Boys High, New Zealand's fly-half factory, coached both Carter and Slade. He is getting the signature of every boy and master on the school flag and will present it to Slade ahead of this weekend's quarter-final. This is no time for doubt.

"Once Colin is settled into a team and a pattern, he's a very intelligent player, almost a perfectionist," he said. "He likes things to be just the way they should be and until they are sorted he can be hesitant. But once he feels part of the system, he never has a bad game. His only bad performances ever are at the start of his tenure.