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Dan Carter weighs in on All Blacks No.10 battle as questions linger


Beauden Barrett looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks captains run at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 04, 2025 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
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All Blacks legend Dan Carter has opened up on who he believes could be the No.10 under new head coach Dave Rennie, with four genuine options for throughout 2026 and beyond.

At Super Rugby Pacific Super Round in Christchurch, three of the four most popular options were on show at the new One New Zealand Stadium, including Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett, and Ruben Love.

McKenzie’s Chiefs overcame a physical Fijian Drua side, Barrett’s penalty goal secured the Blues’ victory over the Reds, and Love provided some spark for an already on-fire Hurricanes backline against the Brumbies.

Carter, widely considered one of the best rugby players of all time, said Rennie and his coaching staff have all the depth they possibly need.

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“I think we’re really lucky, we’ve got some great depth. I guess the challenge is, who’s going to put their hand up and really take that role over the next, next couple of years, that’s something that probably hasn’t happened,” Carter told Martin Devlin on the DSPN Podcast.

“It’s kind of been shared a little bit once Richie Mo’unga departed, he took a bit of ownership in the back end of his time in New Zealand and then it’s been between sort of Damian and Beauden.”

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The former All Black first-five believes it’s not a negative to not know who may be in the jersey at the Rugby World Cup in Australia just yet, as there are a number of Tests before next year’s competition.

“Now we’ve got a bit of young talent coming through. It’s exciting, so we have depth there which is good. It’s just which one of those three, four players that you mentioned is going to really put their hand up and go, this is my position.

“Obviously you got Richie [Mo’unga] coming back as well on the mix, so that strengthens the depth. So it’s a real positive, but I don’t think we can answer that question of who’s going to be playing at the World Cup just yet, because there’s still a lot of Test matches and a lot of footy to be played before then.

“I think it’s amazing opportunity for one of them to go right, that number 10 jersey’s mine.”

Ruben Love’s future with the All Blacks at No.10 has been widely discussed, which Carter compares to a situation when he started, where there’s no perfect time to blood in new talent.

“I was lucky, I had a season and a half playing in the 12 jersey and been in the environment playing alongside the great Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mertens, so I was just sitting there learning from two absolute masters of the 10 jersey, two very different players as well,” Carter told the DSPN in Christchurch.

“So the end of year tour in my second year, we went over to to Europe and they left those two players behind, they threw me into the mix in a very young squad and I just had to learn as we went, and probably one of the biggest things for me, was actually just being thrown in the deep end and either you sink or you swim, to be honest.

“And I’m not saying that that’s what they need to do, but when they show the capabilities of what they’re capable of doing, and they’ve been in the environment, whether in and out or certain times, is time, that you’ve got to just really show belief and faith in that person and and just continue to back them, and hopefully you make the right decision.”

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42 Comments
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Bazzallina 43 days ago

If Canes can get to the final and win it with Cam Love Barrett continuing their connection Reuben has to get the start against France and with those 2 around him its not really a risk at all his distribution is some if the best going around anywhere but he will need to pick choose the flashy moments better and just because you have a sick pass either side don’t mean he shouldn’t have a dig himself more often if he plays well then he stays ball in his court

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JW 43 days ago

I was wanting the same for Reihana last year.

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unknown 44 days ago

No worries for NZ . They are all good .

D
DC 44 days ago

well there are 4 that could posssibly that could play there next year richie m damiem m

beauden b ruben l but we will find out once dave rennnie lets us know

J
JW 43 days ago

I’m a real believer Reihana has the best international game, but keep the number at four, I wouldn’t include BB as an option.

s
smartalec 44 days ago

Thow Ruben Love in at 10, we will never know if he has what it takes unless he gets a chance. We can’t keep playing DMac, BB and RM forever, they aren’t getting any younger.

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Blackmania 44 days ago

I’m predicting Love in 2027, but it’s going to be a tight battle with DMK and Mo’unga. I’m not putting Beauden Barrett into the equation with Rennie in charge.

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jclaytonf 45 days ago

Clearly Mo’unga will own the 10 jersey and Jordan the 15 jersey. They will play Barrett, McKenzie or Love off the bench as utility playmaker, hopefully Ruben will get the nod as we need fresh blood.

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GrahamVF 44 days ago

Big mistake to think RM’s Japan form will translate into test rugby form. Have you watched that league - tackling is practically non- existent and there is stacks of time to dwell on the ball.

H
Hammer Head 45 days ago

So Dan Carter has no idea either.

G
GrahamVF 45 days ago

Have you heard anything about Manie Libbk’s form?

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