All-time top scorer retires after his biggest thrill

DAN CARTER, the man who wondered if he would ever get another chance at World Cup glory after the heartache of four years ago, announced his retirement last night after guiding the All Blacks to a stunning triumph against Australia at Twickenham.

Nineteen points, including a gamechanging drop-goal, earned Carter man-ofthe-match status and his country the proud honour of a record-breaking third title.

The 33-year-old New Zealand great said: ‘This win is right up there with everything I’ve done in my career – it is the ultimate achievement.’

It had been widely assumed that Carter and skipper Richie McCaw, the legendary old guard in one of the great All Blacks sides, would both retire from international rugby after the final.

And Carter added: ‘It has been an amazing career and to finish like this is hard to believe.’

Carter has scored 126 points at Twickenham, more than any other non-England player, but it was getting his hand on the trophy rather than adding to his list of records that was so important for rugby’s all-time top points scorer.

Four years ago injury robbed him of the chance to help New Zealand to the title and he continued: ‘This victory means a lot – it was a dark place four years ago and I’ve had to work extremely hard to be here.

‘I’m proud of the boys and what they have achieved. Becoming the first team to retain the trophy shows how special this side is.’

While Carter revealed the curtain has come down on his international career, McCaw refused to sign off – indeed, the veteran of 148 Tests even hinted he could continue.

‘I still don’t want it to end, to be honest,’ the 34year-old said. ‘I’m still part of this team. How could you get enough of this? I just want to enjoy this. I’m so proud I could wear this jersey again. Getting moments like this, why would you ever call it a day?’

Australia coach Michael Cheika said: ‘It’s disappointing to come up short. The goal wasn’t to make the final, it was to win. I know many people didn’t expect us to, but believing has to start somewhere.’