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'I was living out of my mate's garage': Dan Carter's All Blacks revelation
Dan Carter has revealed that he was living in his friends’ garage when he got his first call-up for the All Blacks.
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Speaking to Newstalk ZB‘s Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford, Carter said he roughed it in the garage early in his career – albeit a “pretty pimped out” one.
“It was a friend of mine’s. We were all university students at Canterbury and we turned the garage into a bedroom so I could stay with them and that was exactly where I was living for a year,” Carter said.
“I was playing for the Crusaders and wasn’t expecting to be named for the All Blacks but at the same time I was living out of my mate’s garage.
“I actually started getting paid a couple of NPC payments. You used to get win bonuses, so you’ll get a couple hundred bucks if you win, which was my sort of first payment from rugby.”
As Carter started to win and get paid more, he says he started to spend his income on the types of things every young guy loves.
“We went through a pretty good era where we won a couple of Ranfurly Shield games, which was even more of a bonus, and it was the most kitted out garage in Christchurch.
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“I had the first flat screen, I had surround sound, a beautiful new bed in this garage. So it was pretty pimped out this little garage I used to live in.”
Carter has come a long way since then, and this year made his return to New Zealand Rugby with the Blues – although he didn’t get any playing time.
Part of that was probably due to bad luck, with the return of Covid-19 in the Auckland community forcing the Super Rugby Aotearoa finale between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park to be cancelled, which Carter was likely to feature in.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald recently indicated that the former All Blacks first-five was ready and willing to play in the highly-anticipated clash before it was canned.
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“The fans would have loved to have seen him play in New Zealand again,” MacDonald said. “He looked really good but he also offered a lot to us off the park. He was fit and ready to go and a good shot at being there.”
Razor apparently needs international coaching experience – and this would certainly be an experience! #AllBlacks #BritishandIrishLionshttps://t.co/5PmVWwPPnN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 20, 2020
Despite not making an impact on the field, Carter’s experience and leadership was invaluable, especially in working with Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu.
“He was Patrick’s right-hand man for most of the season and we’ve all seen him grow as a leader and a player, and Dan is a massive part of that,” MacDonald said.
“We know he is a Crusaders man at heart, but to put that aside and join the team is a testament to what a great guy he is.”
Carter’s future with NZ Rugby is still unknown, with MacDonald saying no serious discussions had been had with the No 10, but he didn’t rule out anything developing further after lockdown.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 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.
13 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.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 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,
13 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.
13 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.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
13 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.
13 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.
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