Steven Hansen, the New Zealand head coach, has suggested that he could delay Dan Carter's eagerly-anticipated first start since injury until the Autumn Test against Scotland.

Carter made his comeback from a broken leg to earn his 101st cap for New Zealand as a substitute for Aaron Cruden during the 74-6 hammering of the United States at the weekend. The 32-year-old emerged unscathed from the match in Chicago and admitted afterwards it was "extremely satisfying" to have made his return without any issues.

The All Blacks are still intent on managing the celebrated stand-off's recovery as carefully as possible, however, and Hansen has admitted Saturday's Test against England may come a little too soon for Carter to make a first international start in a year. "We might be better off giving him another opportunity against Scotland," said Hansen.