NSW centre Tom Carter will continue his Rugby career with the Waratahs after signing a two-year deal. The new contract will take him through to the end of the 2012 season and could take him past 50 state caps. Carter is one of the Tah's most experienced players having made his state debut as a 21-year-old against Salta on the development tour of Argentina in 2004. "I’ve always been really happy here at the Tahs and when they approached me to extend my contract I was always pretty likely to stay," Carter said.

Recruited Wellingtonian and now Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean opened his try-scoring account for his new team against the Blues in the fourth round of the Super 14 competition last Saturday and he is thirsting for more against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night. The strapping 1.90m 104kg midfielder clinched the win with a block-busting run in the 66th minute which took the Crusaders comfortably clear. It was a tackle-defying burst reminiscent of Casey Laulala, the player he replaced in that position. And Fruean said after the Crusaders final practice on Wednesday that more were in store.

Hamilton will host its first New Zealand derby of the 2010 Super 14 when the Chiefs take on the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium on Friday night. Chiefs coach Ian Foster said the players always look forward to this game and it is one they usually target to win. "We're looking forward to our first New Zealand derby game, as they are always intense and competitive," he said. "It has been good to have a full training week after last week's short turnaround. "There's been an opportunity to reflect on our first four games, and whilst we were frustrated with our last performance, overall the squad has made great progress.

The injury crisis at the Western Force has continued with young back Joelin Rapana ruled out for at least five weeks after breaking his hand last weekend. Rapana was playing for the Australian Barbarians last Friday along with four other developing Force players as the club sought to give them valuable match time during the bye weekend. The 23 year old sustained the injury late in the second half and scans revealed a broken bone in his right hand which will require a brace to be worn for at least a month.

England manager Martin Johnson described his selection decision for Saturday's Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland as the toughest of his 18-month tenure. The 'marathon' deliberations following England's 20-16 defeat to Ireland resulted in two key decisions - to retain Delon Armitage at fullback ahead of Ben Foden and replace flanker Lewis Moody with Joe Worsley. "It was probably the longest selection process since I have been involved and the toughest but that's good. There is pressure on players to perform," said Johnson. Armitage knows that more than most.