World star Carter calls time on his career at age of 38

DAN CARTER, who won two World Cups with the All Blacks and is world rugby’s record points scorer, has announced his official retirement from the professional game.

The fly-half, 38, won the last of his 112 caps with a man-of-the-match display in the 2015 World Cup final victory over Australia.

He has since played for French club Racing 92 and Japan’s Kobelco Steelers.

Carter wrote on Instagram: “I’ve thought about this on so many occasions but today is the day and I am very grateful that I can do it on my terms.

“I’m officially retiring from professional rugby, a sport I’ve played for 32 years and which has helped shape me into the person I am today.

“I can’t thank everyone who has played a part in my journey enough, particularly you, the fans. I’m sad to walk away from playing but the timing is right. Rugby will always be a part of my life.”

Carter, three times world player of the year, explained he had lost his motivation when he had to return home from Japan as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and joined the Blues.

“The more I took time off the more I realised I didn’t want to play overseas and not having the drive to play here I knew in my mind the time was right,” he said.

Carter, who turned out for his childhood rugby club Southbridge in July, did not make an appearance for the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa last year.

His pro career started in 2002. He won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and is the competition’s record scorer, as well as winning league titles in Japan and France.

Carter also won the World Cup in 2011, missing the latter stages of the competition because of a groin injury.

His 1,598 points in international rugby are 352 ahead of England’s Jonny Wilkinson.