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.”
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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.”
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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
Should've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
28 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
28 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
90 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
4 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to comments