Too old for Super Rugby? Ex-All Blacks coach weighs in on Dan Carter debate
Dan Carter spent long periods of his first training session at the Blues talking tactics with former teammate turned coach Leon MacDonald.
He then completed the session working on kicking skills with Beauden Barrett.
It is here, in these often unseen areas, Wayne Smith believes Carter will exude his most telling influence on the Blues this season.
When it comes to the presence of revered sporting figures in team environments, what they do can shout so loudly that they need not say anything at all.
True professionals lead by example, through their attitude; their commitment to managing their body, attention to game plan detail and skills.
Smith, alongside Kobe Steelers coach Dave Dillon, has seen Carter play more than anyone during the past three years in Japan. He understands exactly how much the Blues stand to gain by simply absorbing Carter’s vision and experience.
“His genius is not just what you see on the field, it’s what he gives off it,” Smith says.
“One of his real values is helping coaches coach and clubs establish a legacy and personal meaning. He’s not just a guy who comes and plays. He throws himself deeply into everything and helps with the other players. To me, that was the huge benefit we got out of him.”
Two years ago, during his last full season in Japan, Carter was named player of the Top League and MVP in the final after guiding Kobe to the title.
Aside from his performances, Smith recounts how Carter blew fellow test stars away while explaining his weekly plan during a team presentation.
“I remember talking to Adam Ashley-Cooper after Daniel had got up and he said he plans on Sunday nights but he’d never done anything to that level and it changed the way he did it. That’s just one example of one of the most experienced players in the world learning off another supremely experienced player. That to me is the value of the man so hopefully he’ll have that sort of effect on the Blues.”
Smith then turns attention to assessing the on-field impact Carter could have, once up to speed.
“People can’t expect to see the Daniel Carter from the 2005 Lions series, but they’ll see something that’s not too far away, from what I have witnessed.”
And with that, Smith does little to damper mounting enthusiasm at Carter’s surprise New Zealand comeback.
Fifteen years on from one of the greatest playmaking performances rugby has witnessed, it is unrealistic to expect this 38-year-old version of Carter to reach those heights again.
Carter has played six games – all this year – in the past 18 months after recovering from neck surgery.
Preparing to put his body on the line in the brutal New Zealand derbies will sure test his slight frame.
And with Barrett expected to settle into the saddle from first five, Carter is likely to first assume a bench role for the Blues, once deemed match fit.
Smith recalls watching Carter perform that same role for Racing 92 in his final French campaign in 2018, before shifting to Japan.
“I remember seeing him come off the bench for them and he changed the game by setting up a couple of tries with his running game.
“He’d be the sort of guy sitting on the bench who would be able to see the game, learn from it and when he comes on have a clear idea of the best way to win it.”
Whatever on-field role he assumes, Smith is confident Carter’s class will shine.
“He’s got something there that drives him to prove himself. Anyone who knows Daniel knows he’ll want to do that with the Blues. He won’t want to be a failure, I’ll tell you that now. He’s one of the most driven guys in that area I’ve ever come across.
“Even though he was finishing with us in Kobe that was more to do with family than anything else. He would love to have kept playing in Japan.
“It’s a good level at Kobe – every week you’re playing against a Matt Giteau or Bernard Foley. A lot of the best 10s in the world are over there so it’s not like it’s a weak competition. You’re playing in front of 24 to 26,000 most weeks so he will have had good preparation for this.
“If the Japanese Top League becomes part of Super Rugby Aotearoa plans in the future people will be surprised just how good the rugby is.
“I’ve got no doubt whatever role he plays he’ll add value.”
Carter’s accolades – three time world player of the year, two World Cup crowns, three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, two championships in France and one in Japan – suggest he’s always had it made.
But Smith remembers former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum beating Carter into starting line up of the South Island schools team, and theories he would not become a world-class first five after playing fullback for Canterbury in 2004.
“There was a general feeling at that point that he couldn’t run a game.
“People assume he’s had a golden career and everything has gone well for him. It hasn’t all been plain sailing, and it hasn’t all been based on talent.
“In 2004 Graham Henry said we’re going to take him as a 10 and we’ll take a younger back up because if we take an experienced 10 he’ll probably play the tests ahead of Daniel, and we wanted to see him play.
“That was the first time he really got an extended crack at 10 for the All Blacks and it soon became obvious he was going to be the man for it, but it wasn’t in everyone’s thinking that he was going to be a 10.”
Somewhat ironically Carter made his test debut starting at second five outside Carlos Spencer, the last great Blues playmaker, against Wales in 2003. Now signed as a utility by the Blues, Carter could well find himself at 12 again this season.
Largely due to the increased defensive demands, Smith opted not to use Carter there in Japan.
“It was an option for us but it wasn’t one we used mainly because of his value organising the game from 10. It suits him better, it’s where he’s most comfortable. He’s a strong defender so he can handle 12 but I was pretty loath to put him down that channel. Ten looks after him a bit more physically. He’s almost too brave for his own good.”
Almost five years have passed since Barrett and Carter last played together on that glorious Twickenham afternoon as the All Blacks clinched successive World Cup crowns.
In many ways their roles will be reversed, with Barrett now running the cutter and Carter delivering potential match-winning cameos.
No one envisioned they would ever combine in the same Blues team.
If Smith’s intelligence is anything to go by, we could be in for a treat.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
2 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 commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments