Carter scored 14 points as the defending champions were beaten 22-19 by North Harbour in their opening Air New Zealand Cup match.

BBC: South Africa 31-19 New Zealand

Even when there's a big event like the Air New Zealand Cup, we didn't put that on the front page because sales just die.

CNN: Rugby spurned as Kiwis go soccer crazy

But clearly some guys have played their way in during the recent Air New Zealand Cup (the old National Provincial Championship) and there are seven uncapped players in the party.

BBC: Zinzan Brooke column

Gatland coached Waikato to the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup - the level below the Super 15 tournament - after returning home following his stint at Wasps and has great pride in his roots.

BBC: Warren Gatland has career 'options' post World Cup

Last weekend's Air New Zealand Cup final between Canterbury and Wellington, the climax of the country's top domestic rugby union competition, saw just 12, 000 fans turn up at the 40, 000 capacity AMI Arena in Christchurch.

CNN: Rugby spurned as Kiwis go soccer crazy