Drummond ticks the boxes for Carter
Drummond, who will turn 21 days after the start of the Super Rugby season and is 11 year the junior of Carter, was only number three ion the list of No.9s when the Crusaders' squad was named late last year.
However, a cruel pre-season injury blow to Willi Heinz (fractured leg) and the late arrival from Japan of fellow All Black No.9 Andy Ellis, means Drummond and Billy Guyton moved up in the 'rankings'.
Drummond started in the Crusaders' opening pre-season outing, a 26-29 loss to the Highlanders - the same match in which Heinz fractured his leg.
Guyton, who played for the Hurricanes in 2014, featured in the 31-41 pre-season loss to the Hurricanes this past weekend.
However, it is Drummond who looks likely to partner Carter in the Super Rugby tournament opener in Christchurch on February 13.
Carter, who showed no signs of the tight calf that troubled him at the end of last year, was full of praise for young Drummond.
"He is still learning and he has a really bright future," the 102-Test All Black veteran said of Drummond.
"We are pretty lucky to have a third scrumhalf of his quality," the All Black said, adding: "It is a perfect chance for him to step up.
"He had an opportunity in the NPC last year [when Willie Heinz was also injured] and he will have a lot more opportunities this year. It is exciting times for him."
The 32-year-old Carter, with 128 Super Rugby games worth of experience to his credit, admitted that Drummond is not a combination he is familiar with, but said some "hard work" over the next couple of weeks will help the veteran learn the rookie's traits.
While playing in a team that not only includes Carter, but also other legends and World Cup winners like Richie McCaw and Kieran Read might overawe some player.
However, Carter said there is a simple solution for the young scrumhalf.
"He shouldn't try and change the world, try to be a Willie [Heinz] or an Andy [Ellis], just go out there and play his game.
"The beauty about playing at this level is you just have to concentrate on your role and if everyone does that the team structures take care of themselves - all he has to worry about is go out there and do his job.
"He has been in the [Canterbury and Crusaders] environment for a couple of years now, working closely with Willie and Andy, so he would have learnt a lot.
"I am sure he is relishing the opportunity."
Drummond, who earned the call-up to the Crusaders squad in 2014, just before he turned 20, only made one appearance last year.
The former Nelson College First XV captain was a member of the New Zealand Barbarians secondary schools team in 2013 and went on to gain selection in the New Zealand Under-20 team for the Junior World Championship in 2014.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder described Drummond as "a very driven young man".
"He does his basics well and probably has one of the best passes in the game," Blackadder said.
"He is continuing to grow and he will have learnt a lot in last year's NPC."
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