Barrett gets Carter’s vote for pivotal role
Dan Carter believes the All Blacks should stick with Beauden Barrett at first-five, but is delighted with the progress Richie Mo’unga has made.
The All Blacks’ finest No 10 was at Westlake Boys High School in Auckland yesterday to be unveiled by former Prime Minister Sir John Key as an ambassador for the sporting charity ISPS Handa.
Afterwards, Carter gave Stuff his views on the debate that has been raging over who Steve Hansen should go with at the first-five position for the Rugby Championship.
Barrett is the incumbent, with 65 test caps to his name, but the form Mo’unga showed in this year’s Super Rugby competition has led to some, including Ireland great and Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O’Gara, calling for him to get the nod.
However, Carter feels Barrett deserves to keep hold of his job.
‘‘I think it’s fantastic for Richie that this debate is going on at the moment,’’ Carter said.
‘‘They’re fortunate to have some amazing talent in the No 10 jersey, and you can throw Damian McKenzie in that debate as well.
‘‘But what Beauden’s achieved over the last couple of years with the All Blacks, you can’t go past that.
‘‘I can see him leading the team and having that No 10 jersey for a bit longer.
‘‘But having guys nipping at the heals like Richie, is great. I’ve been in that position before and it inspires you to work even harder, and I’m sure all of those players will be doing that and competition is only a healthy thing.’’
The 36-year-old Carter has finished his time with Paris club Racing 92 and will next begin a two-year stint with Kobe Steelers in Japan before hanging up the boots on a glittering career.
Carter says while he doesn’t dread retirement, he doesn’t know what the next chapter in his life entails.
‘‘It’s not something I spend too much time thinking about, but it’s not something that I fear,’’ he said.
‘‘I realise that when that time comes and I commit to it being my last year, then it’s something I’ll be excited about. But you need to close that chapter of your life and the feelings you get of being a rugby player, there’s nothing that’s going to give me that exact same feeling.
‘‘So I have to close that and appreciate the l time I’ve had as a rugby player. I’ve had a very long and extensive career, so I’ve been lucky in that way, but then I need to find what’s next and I haven’t worked that out yet.’’