Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Phantom Carter a real-life superhero
Defeating Wallabies in World Cup swansong won’t define Kiwi legend
DAN CARTER has admitted that he and hulking lock Ali Williams “like to dress up” in comic-book costumes, although coach Steve Hansen said the flyhalf is assured of All Black superhero status regardless of the result in today’s Rugby World Cup final.
Carter faced the world’s media at Twickenham yesterday and did his best to play down the significance of his 112th and final Test appearance being the opportunity to get his hands on the Webb Ellis Cup after missing most of the 2011 tournament through injury.
He seemed positively relieved when asked if he still collected superhero costumes.
“Yeah, it sounds a bit weird but (former All Black) Ali Williams and I like to dress up and I started a collection of pretty much every superhero costume there is,” Carter said, earning a raised eyebrow from the usually poker-faced Hansen.
Carter explained that his collection eventually went to a friend after his wife demanded space in the wardrobe for his first child’s clothes.
Asked which was his favourite, he mulled it over before selecting his first, The Phantom – a mainstay of American comics, newspaper strips and TV for almost 80 years.
The diversion offered some light relief for Carter, who was clearly uncomfortable with talk of the fairytale aspect of his international swansong against arch-rivals Australia.
After much talk of it being all about the team, he eventually cracked when he considered how his 2011 tournament ended, sidelined by a groin injury after two pool games.
“There were moments there I thought it might be the end,” he said. “Immediately after (2011) I was pretty devastated, but knew I still had a lot to add to New Zealand rugby, which is why I signed a new contract immediately
“In the back of my mind in 2011 was to give myself a chance of a another World Cup. It was pretty far-fetched to look that far ahead, so it’s great to be here.”
After the anguish of missing out four years ago and being a member of the teams that came up short at the previous two tournaments, Carter said his motivation is not personal but the desire to play his part in a team success.
That left it to Hansen to deliver the eulogy. The coach bridled at the suggestion that Carter’s 12- year career would be defined by 80 minutes of action at Twickenham.
“His career is already defined and it’s one of greatness,” Hansen said. “He has enhanced the jersey in many ways over many matches, and when you start out as an All Black that’s one of the greatest things you can do.”
That feat is made all the more impressive by the calibre of those who have filled the No 10 shirt in the past. New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe MilnerSkudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody. Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams. Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio. Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale. Kickoff: 6pm. Referee: Nigel Owens. TV: SS1/SABC2.
“In his position that’s a pretty remarkable thing when you think about the people who have gone before him. People like Grant Fox, (Earle) Kirton, (Andrew) Mehrtens and so forth,” he said. “When they left, people said we couldn’t replace them, but a little fella from Southbridge has done that.”
Carter, whose right knee was heavily strapped, sat with his head bowed during the paean, but Hansen ploughed on. “He’s gone through a bit of adversity in the past few years. He’s done everything in the game, but he wanted to finish playing well,” he said.
“He’s pretty humble and he’s a normal, good bloke. He likes a beer, likes a laugh and he’s nice company.” Something of an all-round superhero.
It’s not quite David and Goliath proportions but the Wallabies have vowed to stand toe-to-toe with their fearsome New Zealand opponents.
While conceding the Australians were giving away a weight advantage to the giant All Blacks pack, Wallaby coach Michael Cheika said his players would not back away from any physical confrontations.
Asked what his team were expecting from New Zealand, Cheika replied: “It’s pretty much their modus operandi. They know how to play the game physically.
“They’ve got leg drive and they’ve got great intent around the way they want to play the game physically.”
But Cheika said he welcomed the challenge of taking the Kiwis on at their own game. “I love that style of play as well so we know we want to bring that too,” he said.
“I know we’re probably a little bit smaller but it’s all about what you bring technically and what’s inside you, what’s your drive, why do you want to do it?”
Australia were given a taste of what to expect when they upset New Zealand in August to win the the Rugby Championship.
A week later, the two old rivals played each other for the Bledisloe Cup and the Aussies were smashed 41-13 by a ruthless Kiwi team that battered them from kickoff.
“They always say if you look backwards you’re only going to get a sore neck, so what happened before means nothing,” Cheika said. “We know it’s going to be extremely physical and we want to be able to last.”
Openside flank Michael Hooper, whose clash at the breakdown with All Black captain Richie McCaw looms as one of the key factors in today’s outcome, said it was impossible to block out the magnitude of what was at stake.
“There’s 31 guys here who would give their left leg to be playing on Saturday and that’s been the mentality from the word go. Even the coaches would run out there if they could,” he said.
“It’s 80 minutes, four sticks, one footy and we’re throwing it around and we’re going up against a great opposition with a huge opportunity and goal at the end of it.” – Reuters