Class-act Carter a pleasure to watch

ALL BLACK legend Dan Carter graced the Murrayfield pitch five times in international matches — and this correspondent had the privilege to be at every single game. He will go down in history as one of the greatest No 10s of all-time — John Rutherford remains my top player in that position — and his visits to Edinburgh showed how far ahead New Zealand were of Scotland when he played. His first appearance there was in a 40-0 World Cup win in 2007 when he scored one try, and kicked two conversions and two penalties. The All Blacks were so confident of victory when they returned the following year, he started among the replacements and came off the bench in a 32-6 win when he put over a conversion. Two years later he got one try and five conversions in an easy 49-3 victory. Then, in 2012, he got six conversions and three penalties in a 51-22 victory. The only time Scotland ran a New Zealand side featuring Carter close was in his final appearance at Murrayfield two years later. Scotland were down 14-10 at the break before the All Blacks scored a try six minutes from time to win 24-16. Carter put over three penalties that day. He was world class and after a remarkable 112 caps — his last was in the 2015 World Cup final win over Australia — and spells at clubs in France and Japan he has announced his retirement at the age of 38. As careers go, he’s had a special one that brought joy to everybody who witnessed him in action.