Carter back in Super Rugby
Sacre bleu
‘‘It’s that competitive edge all sportspeople miss.’’
Dan Carter
The Blues have tried before to lure the great Dan Carter into their clutches.
But Leon MacDonald succeeded where Graham Henry and John Kirwan failed because of the timing, because of the world’s unique circumstances and because of the power of a friendship forged in red-and-black.
Record-breaking, 112-test, dual World Cup-winning All Black, and staunch Cantabrian Dan Carter was confirmed yesterday as an injury replacement for the Blues in the upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa season, coming in for utility back Stephen Perofeta who suffered a fractured foot in preresumption training and is gone for the duration.
Even at 38, and somewhat light on rugby under his belt, Carter shapes as a pretty handy replacement for the Blues who open the rejigged season on June 14 against the Hurricanes at Eden Park. Alongside their incumbent trio of playmakers, in Beauden Barrett, Otere Black and Harry Plummer, Carter gives coach Leon MacDonald crucial depth and an experienced head for a competition that is sure to test the resources of the five New Zealand clubs.
Carter, after his first training session with the Blues on a rainswept Alexandra Park, confirmed he is motivated to put his best foot forward for an unexpected last run around in New Zealand rugby, that he is ‘‘several weeks’’ away from being even close to match ready – should his services even be required – and that it felt a little weird to be wearing the colours and logo of the northern franchise that chased him pretty hard when he was in the peak of his career.
Circumstances threw up a confluence of events where he had returned home to spend lockdown in Auckland with his family, his Japan season ended prematurely but rugby desire sparked into life. When his phone rang and close friend and former Crusaders and All Blacks team-mate MacDonald was on the other end, he had a bit to think about.
‘‘It wasn’t a straight yes but at the same time it was a great opportunity to be able to train and potentially play in the city where my kids go to school and my family is at now. And a chance to give back a little bit to rugby as well,’’ Carter told a large media contingent at Alexandra Park. Carter made it clear that having his old mate ‘Rangi’ as his coach helped nudge his decision over the line.
‘‘It’s a big part of it, doing a bit of a favour for a good friend. I’ll keep that in the back pocket for when I need something from him.’’
This isn’t the first time the Blues have made a play for his services. It’s just the first time that Carter’s said yes.
‘‘I’ve been approached a few times over the years . . . when Ted [Henry] was coaching, and JK as well,’’ clarified Carter. ‘‘When the Japan season got cancelled, I just wanted to spend time with my family. It wasn’t until Leon explained the situation . . . Leon is a pretty convincing guy.’’
But he will also have to be a patient coach. Carter confirmed he’s several weeks away from being in anything approaching match shape and won’t be rushing anything. ‘‘There is a competitive edge in all professional sports people, but at this stage I’ve got to be realistic. I’ve played six games in the last 18 months, and had three months of no rugby training, no contact . . .
‘‘I got through five games earlier this year in Japan, and that gave me a lot of confidence bouncing back from neck surgery last year. Once I get that work under my belt, it’s part of your nature to be out there competing. It’s that competitive edge all sportspeople miss in lockdown. Even running around out there today brought a little bit of that back.’’
Carter spent much of his first Blues training locked in conversation with his former All Blacks team-mate Barrett. Back then (over the 2015 World Cup cycle) they’d had a master and apprentice type relationship, but it was not lost on Carter that the dynamic had changed as they both approach debut seasons with this franchise.
‘‘He was still a young fella when I played alongside him in those early years . . . to work alongside him and even pick his brain as well, that’s pretty exciting for me.’’
One media member joked that Carter looked more 28 than 38. He smiled and then steeled himself.
‘‘I feel great until I start getting into some contact work. It will be a different story in a couple of weeks. I’m fit, but it’s a matter of getting some decent rugby training in. That takes time.’’