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Wales new boy Ben Carter has played down comparisons with Alun Wyn Jones and revealed why a potential international debut this summer would be extra special.
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The Dragons lock is one of six uncapped players in Wayne Pivac’s squad for the Tests against Canada and Argentina next month.
Carter only made his debut for the region in November but has made a big impression and was talked up as a long-term replacement for British and Irish Lions captain Jones by the Wales head coach earlier this month when the 34-man group was announced.
“Yeah, it is a really nice thing to hear and a nice thing to say because we all know what sort of player Alun Wyn is,” the 20-year-old said.
“He is one of the best but I am just in the camp giving it a good crack and doing my own thing here.”
Pivac did not tone down his praise of the Dragons forward when he addressed the media from a training camp in north Wales this week.
It points towards Carter making his debut this summer, potentially in the Test against Canada on July 3 at the Principality Stadium, which will have 8,200 supporters in attendance.
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After making his Dragons bow in the behind-closed-doors era, the second row has not played a senior match in front of a crowd while his family have not had the chance to watch him live since the coronavirus pandemic started.
Carter added: “It would be amazing to play in front of fans. I was lucky enough to play in the Principality Stadium for the Dragons.
“We had three games there so that was really exciting and I was just in awe of the stadium let alone if there were fans in there.
“Also I am looking forward, should I get the chance, to my family being there to watch because they rarely miss a game.
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“I don’t think my dad ever missed a game but he hasn’t been able to see me play for the Dragons yet so that would be really nice.”
Forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys is one of those to have taken Carter under his wing and Pivac revealed the youngster had been given extra line-out responsibilities in training.
Given his lack of experience, it was another doff of the cap to the Wales Under-20 giant but he paid tribute to fellow locks Adam Beard and Matthew Screech for their guidance.
“It is nice to be trusted in that role. I am still learning it and I have a lot of good people around me,” Carter insisted.
“Beardy has been brilliant helping me out with that. It’s also good with Screechy there because he has helped me so much at Dragons so I can talk to him around that. I feel privileged I have been trusted in the role and I do enjoy it.
“I have had quite a lot of talks with Jon Humphreys, the forwards coach. He has been really good and spots a lot of little things to do with line-outs which is really detailed.
“That’s really helpful so he has already picked up on a lot of things I can be improving on and that is great for me because I want to soak up as much as I can on this camp and learn as much before I take it back to Dragons.”
Before Carter switches his focus back to life at Rodney Parade, he has the small matter of Canada’s visit and a double-header with Argentina in Cardiff to worry about.
Asked if he had envisaged singing the national anthem this summer, the lock admitted: “I haven’t had time to because it has been so intense and we’ve been so tired.
“I mean that is the driver for the whole thing and when it does get tough, you think about that so I am really excited. Should I get the opportunity, it would be amazing.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments