Carter has already begun his rehabilitation, and said that he would be ready to hit the ground running when he begins the 2012 Investec Super Rugby season with the Crusaders.

“The groin's good, the operation was successful and it's now a matter of rehabilitation,” said Carter.

“There's no rush to return to play.”

“My direction is towards next season. That's another four months away and I'll be well rehabbed.”

Carter was ruled out of the All Blacks World Cup squad when a seemingly harmless training accident caused him to injure his groin, slipping over when practicing kicking prior to the team’s pool stage test against Canada.

Many felt it was a hammer blow to All Blacks hopes, especially with backup Colin Slade suffering a similar injury against the North Americans, but any concerns were put aside when ‘third-choice’ first five-eighth Aaron Cruden put in a command performance against the Wallabies.

“I've been really impressed with Aaron,” Carter said.

“He's making the most of his opportunity.”

“It's like he has been involved with the team all season. He has just slotted in nicely and he's making the most of this opportunity which is awesome.”

Carter didn’t deny he was angry as he contemplated the injury and the fact that he had been robbed of the chance to help the All Blacks break a 24-year title drought, but he said the focus needed to be on the team – as well as actually enjoying the occasion.

"I had to get over the initial disappointment and help the boys," he said.

"There were all sorts of emotions went through me. I was pretty gutted initially and I guess maybe a little bit angry. Yeah I guess anger did creep in a little bit because I was so gutted to do it at the World Cup.”

"But it hit me after about five or six days.”

“I realised that the World Cup is here in my home country and I'm going to make the most of it with everyone else and actually go to the games. I wasn't going to games and I'd dropped my lip a bit. So it's been quite different for me and I've loved every minute of it."

"Having to watch the last two games were the toughest times for me. I get extremely nervous, I have no sense of control.

"I just want the boys to win."

Despite the All Blacks being overwhelming favourites to beat France, who have come into the final on the back of two pool stage defeats, Carter said that the history of the two nations made them ever dangerous.

"They are our arch-nemesis at World Cup time, everyone knows the past," he said.

"People always write them off, but come the World Cup they seem to grow another leg.

"They're such a dangerous team with their backs to the wall. They scraped through the round-robin but since the playoffs they have turned into a different side.

"You have to expect the unexpected. The guys realise that they're in for a huge challenge."

"They have a lot of areas of strength.”