Dan Carter explains why he chose the Blues and when fans might see him actually take the field
Dan Carter in a Blues jersey might be hard to swallow for Crusaders fans but it’s reality after the franchise confirmed his signing today ahead of the Super Rugby Aotearoa season.
Carter has addressed the media after confirming he had joined the Blues franchise.
“I want to use my experience to help the Blues,” he said.
“I’ve been approached a few times over the years when Ted [Sir Graham Henry] was coaching, JK [Sir John Kirwan] as well. I didn’t obviously at the time. I didn’t think about it.
“When the Japanese season was cancelled I just wanted to spend time with my family. It wasn’t until Leon called saying Stevie [Perofeta] had been ruled out for the season, that’s when I thought about it. He’s a pretty convincing guy.”
“It took a while to put it [the jersey] on but once I got out there…it wasn’t really a team I thought I would be playing for but it’s an opportunity to come to training in the city my family is.”
“We’ve been starved of sport and rugby. As a player we feel the same. With it being around the corner, it’s an exciting time. Super Rugby Aotearoa first came around I didn’t really think about playing in it… It’s more about getting my body up to speed to just be in contention to be selected. A great opportunity to help some of the young guys,” Carter added.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said it’s “a great story for rugby”.
“He’s been in the top level of rugby for a long time and for him to give back attests to his character.”
“DC is helping us on that track. We have some young talent who will thrive having him around. We need to look after Dan and progress him. I don’t expect to see Dan on the field in the early weeks but when he is ready he’ll give us options,” MacDonald said.
“He’ll be great for us, he’s got a level head, selfless, no ego. The younger guys will come over and talk to him. Our team is important this year. Dan epitomises that. He is our Tom Brady, he just keeps going.”
“His heart’s in the right place. I got him at the right time and I think I might have hit the jackpot here. Maybe he’s just coming out of lockdown and still not thinking straight!”
‘Competitive edge’
Carter explained it was his ‘competitive edge’ that drew him to the Blues.
“There’s a competitive edge in all pro spokespeople,” Carter added.
“At this stage I have to be realistic. I’ve played six games in the last 18 months. It’s going to be a process…no contact the last three months. The games in Japan gave me a lot of confidence to bounce back from the neck injury I had. Once I can get some work under the belt with the trainings, I want to be out there competing.
“That’s what all sportspeople miss – that competitive edge and even just running around out there today brought that back.
Playing against the Crusaders
“I talked to the old man. As a proud Cantab…as he has been throughout my career he’s been supportive. I’ve talked to Razor to let him know my reasoning, too.”
“It’s all happened really quickly. Last week I probably thought this was the last place I would be.”
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson says he hasn't ruled out the prospect of the All Blacks facing off against nations from the Pacific Islands and the Northern Hemisphere in 2020.https://t.co/JsSh2fSThd
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 3, 2020
“I don’t want to think about what it would be like to play against the Crusaders – if that were to happen. I’ll deal with that later on.”
“It’s a bit of a favour for a good mate of mine and I’ll keep that favour in the back pocket. We’ve been teammates for a big part of my career and to be coached by him is great,” Carter said.
‘NZ rugby has given me so much.’
They’ve obviously gone through a challenging period. To be alongside some young players and someone like Beaudy is a great opportunity to give back,” Carter said.
“I haven’t even thought about playing alongside Beauden. I’ve been impressed with the leadership role he’s taken with the All Blacks. He was a young fella when I was still playing with him, now I’m looking forward to pick his brain for my learning.
“Fans have been starved of live sport and ho[pefully they will show their appreciation. There’s still some uncertainty around the crowd situation but hopefully, they can come out and support their teams.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments