Rugby Union Carr’s back to renew rivalry for No.8 spot

PLENTY has changed at Wasps in the six months that has passed since Nizaam Carr’s last appearance at the end of January.

From the squad who sealed a 26-7 victory against Ulster that day, Kyle Eastmond, Danny Cipriani, Guy Thompson, Brendan Macken and Marty Moore have headed out the door, while a whole host of new arrivals have signed for the Black and Golds.

But Carr’s main competitor for the No.8 shirt, as it was on that rain-soaked day at the Ricoh Arena, remains the imposing figure of England international Nathan Hughes.

Thompson’s departure to Leicester Tigers and Jack Willis’s sickening knee injury intensified the need for another specialist performer to anchor the back of the scrum, creating a fascinating head-to-head between Carr and Hughes.

It’s not an unfamiliar scenario for the South African, who also opened the possibility of both players being deployed in a robust-looking Wasps back row.

“I’ve always competed with great players such as Duane Vermulean, Schalk Burger and Nick Köster,” said Carr.

“They’re similar to Nathan Hughes. He’s a quality player, he’s a big ball carrier, he’s very physical.

“We’ve got a good relationship. When he’s playing I’ll support him, when I am playing he will back me.

“It’s good going for the team if we can have that relationship. We can’t be too upset about each other going forward. It’s going to be a good contest that can only be good for the team.”

“I started my career on the flank, openside. I’m not much of a stealer like an out-and-out seven, but if an opportunity arises there I will get my head stuck in.

“I prefer playing at No.8. It brings out the best in me so I can link up the forwards and the backs.”

Carr had barely set foot back in England when he was jetted off to Vilamoura as part of Wasps’ summer training camp in Portugal, which concludes on Friday. It’s been a whirlwind period for the South African who was given an emotional send-off by his former club DHL Stormers, followed by an avalanche of goodwill on social media. “I played all of my life in Cape Town for Western Province. That was the only life I knew,” said the returning Wasp. “I grew up dreaming of playing for the Stormers playing at Newlands Stadium and obviously playing for the Springboks. “It was a bit emotional, especially the last two weeks. “They had a farewell for me that was really overwhelming to show what I mean to them over the past few years. “I think I played professionally for them for nine seasons, I made 97 caps, I couldn’t get the 100 but hopefully one day we can get three more caps.”

We’ve got a good relationship. When he’s playing I’ll support him, when I am playing he will back me.