Leroy Carter's dream call-up to the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad almost became a nightmare when his dog chewed up his passport days before leaving for Argentina.
The versatile back made the discovery after getting a call from New Zealand coach Scott Robertson this week telling him he was on the plane as injury cover for Caleb Clarke.
Carter told New Zealand media Thursday he took a photo of his passport and sent it through to team management then left it on his bedside table.
"My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone and it's gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners," he said.
"It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it's all sussed now."
The 26-year-old is set to pick up an emergency passport in Auckland before flying to Buenos Aires on Friday.
Carter, who played for the New Zealand Sevens at the Paris Olympics, could make his international debut in the 15-man game when they meet Argentina in Cordoba on August 16.
The winger debuted for the Chiefs and instantly found a place on the wing for the Super Rugby finalist.
Two tries in his first two matches announced Carter onto the club scene, with the highlight coming in Round 15 with a hat-trick against Moana Pasifika.
Carter is one of several players set to fly to Argentina as injury cover for the opening games of the Rugby Championship.
Chiefs teammate Josh Lord (cover for Luke Jacobson) will also head over alongside props George Bower (Tamaiti Williams) and Tevita Mafileo (Tyrel Lomax) along with scrumhalves Finlay Christie and Kyle Preston (Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham).
