Carter makes it hairy for Sarries
DAN CARTER might have thought big finals were behind him when he left Twickenham as a world champion last October, but today a packed Grande Stade will provide another glittering stage for the great All Black.
The highest points scorer in international history has maintained his peerless standards since his Test retirement, missing only one kick in the Champions Cup for Racing 92 all season.
The concern for Saracens is that the bigger the occasion the better Carter seems to play, as he proved in his man-of-thematch display in the World Cup final. “It is obviously the pinnacle of European rugby and a big part of the reason why I wanted to come here and play,” he said.
“To reach this stage is a proud moment for me and, more importantly, for this team. We’ve done well to get here but the hard work starts now.”
Carter’s body is showing wear and tear nearing the end of what he described as “a pretty special” season yesterday.
He has been teasingly nicknamed ‘The Hairdresser’ by his Racing team-mates for missing training sessions, but he has assured Saracens he is fit to pull out one more showstopping performance.
“I’ve had to be pretty smart with my training,” he said. “Obviously I haven’t been able to train in every single session over the last few weeks but I’ve played enough rugby for Racing to know what I need to do to prepare well enough to play.”
Saracens are on red alert. “He’s the World Player of the Year and you don’t get that for nothing. He’s a fantastic player,” said opposite number Owen Farrell. “He has been at the top for a long, long time and everyone – definitely myself – has nothing but respect for him.”
WASPS have confirmed the signing of Wallaby full-back Kurtley Beale for next season, while Bath have sacked flanker Alafoti Faosiliva after he was given an eight-week suspended sentence for assault.