Carter’s lesson for NZ Rugby

Irichard.knowler@stuff.co.nz

t’s madness to think Dan Carter’s rare appearance for his Southbridge club would force a seismic change in thinking at NZ Rugby.

More’s the pity. Because, if it did, the game might reap some benefits in the long term. God knows, rugby in New Zealand needs that right now.

In case you missed it, Carter played 80 minutes for Southbridge against West Melton in rural Canterbury last weekend.

Did the ex-all Blacks megastar blow the onlookers’ minds with his performance? No.

Carter played like a guy who had just rolled up with his dad before kick0ff – which he did – but was prepared to muck in despite the limited preparation; he kicked the majority of conversion attempts, made some solid tackles and popped some nice offloads.

That was about it. Fine. No-one should have expected more.

The exercise was still a triumph for New Zealand rugby. At 38 years of age, Carter’s still a big enough name to create headlines in sports pages around the world – as was the case when the Blues wanted him as an injury replacement before Super Rugby Aotearoa.

So, there he was, running around for the amateur club which sparked his love of rugby as a primary schoolboy.

Cars were parked up near the ground, and cans of beers were chugged back by the mums and dads as they kept one eye on the game and the other on their small children.

It was a typical setting for a game of footy in New Zealand’s heartland.

When Covid-19 forced New Zealand into lockdown, the concept of Carter playing for Southbridge was a fantasy.

The uncertainty created by the pandemic, especially during level four, meant all sporting codes faced a bleak future; that, in turn, left NZ Rugby with little option but to slash staff numbers as it contemplated financial losses in the tens of millions.

Then came talk of the great rugby reset. With the borders closed, it was suggested this may be the one and only chance for NZ Rugby to reconnect with the communities.

In recent years the idea of All Blacks representing their provinces throughout the

Mitre 10 Cup was insanity. During lockdown it became a very real prospect.

Some optimists even dared to go blue sky; that the All Blacks may have to return to their clubs.

Then Super Rugby Aotearoa began. Then the details of the North versus South match fixture were confirmed. And a leak about a four-test series against Australia also came to light.

NZ Rugby would be pleased. It’s vital to get some money flooding back. Everyone gets that.

But where does that leave the provinces, and the clubs? This doesn’t look good.

The opportunity to bridge the intimidating gap between the professional and amateur arms of the game may already be lost.

Last week Beauden Barrett announced he would miss next year’s Super Rugby campaign with the Blues because he was going to play in Japan. In his own words ‘‘it made sense’’ to go walkabout before returning to the Blues for two seasons ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Remember, it was hoped Barrett would make a rare appearance for the Coastal club in Taranaki on April 4. Then Covid-19 arrived. Chance gone.

Amid all the despair, anger, anxiety and frustration caused by the pandemic, many Kiwis, among them a number of respected former All Blacks, hoped that NZ Rugby could use this crisis to take a deep breath and ask how they could earn more respect from the people who work at clubs for free.

Stop chasing the rainbow, in other words. Find a way to get All Blacks into the lower levels of the game.

How often have we seen All Blacks coaches refuse to release players for their provinces, because they don’t want them to get injured?

No, no, they say. It simply can’t happen. The risks are too high. NZ Rugby’s board members need to stand up to this.

Why not find a solution? Is there no middle ground? Why does a player need to stay wrapped-up in cotton wool? Does it even hurt to try and find a way to wind the clock back?

Maybe that would help keep people in the game.

It wasn’t what Carter did during the 80 minutes of footy in Southbridge that was such a big deal.

It was his willingness to be there.