Carter set for New Zealand swansong with Blues

Reports in New Zealand have suggested that the great Dan Carter is on the brink of a swansong in his homeland with a contract to appear in the Super Rugby Aotearoa, which kicks off next week.

The 38-year-old two-time World Cup winner and three-time world player of the year, who won 112 All Blacks caps in a glittering career, is to sign for the Auckland Blues in the tenweek domestic professional competition which will see high-profile rugby back up and running amid the Covid-19 pandemic which has swept the world but been contained in New Zealand.

Carter is a free agent after finishing his playing commitments with Japanese club Kobe Steelers when the season was cancelled due to the pandemic, and he is now back in Auckland with his family.

The respected New Zealand Herald newspaper claimed the contract may already be signed with Carter viewing it as a way to give back to his homeland on a deal that would be under £1,000 a week.

It raises the tantalising prospect of a backline containing both Carter and his heir apparent Beauden Barrett, who can also play full-back, in the same Blues team. However, it is almost certain that the latter will start in the playmaking role against his former club at Eden Park a week on Sunday after a high-profile move from Wellington Hurricanes.

Auckland would not be a complete homecoming for Carter as he played the majority of his career – 141 games – for the Canterbury Crusaders, winning three Super Rugby titles, before leaving for Racing 92 after a match-winning display against Australia in the 2015 World Cup final.

● Scotland back-row Luke Hamilton will leave Premiership side Bristol Bears at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old former Edinburgh forward, who has three caps, joined the Bears in October on a short-term deal after a spell in Japan with NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes but his stay at Ashton Gate will not be extended.