Watch: Dan Carter's return to rugby in New Zealand
It’s been exactly one month since the Blues announced the signing of former All Blacks legend Dan Carter. While the 38-year-old has yet to take the field for his new Super Rugby side, he’ll play his first game of rugby back in New Zealand today when he runs out for his old Southbridge club in Canterbury.
Carter last played a game of competitive rugby in February when his former Top League side, the Kobelco Steelers, belted Toshiba Brave Lupus in Kobe and Blues coach Leon MacDonald has indicated that Carter is still not quite ready for the big leagues of Super Rugby.
“The fact he’s going to play a bit of club rugby is great and it does put him closer to being game ready but it doesn’t mean as soon as he’s ready to go he’s going to be playing for us,” MacDonald told the NZ Herald.
Southbridge vs West Melton at Southbridge
LIVE Luisetti Seed Southbridge Premier Men's CompetitionHost Southbridge vs West Melton
Posted by Canterbury Rugby on Friday, 3 July 2020
Carter was brought into the Blues team as a replacement for young playmaker Stephen Perofeta but the MacDonald-coached team still has plenty of original squad members available to cover for Perofeta’s absence.
The Otere Black-Beauden Barrett combination is working wonders for the Blues at present while Auckland pivot Harry Plummer has looked solid when called upon throughout the season. Carter is the back-up to those three players and although the wider public are hoping to see Carter used against his old Crusaders side next weekend, MacDonald has indicated that’s not likely to eventuate.
“We’ve got to remember the purpose around Dan,” MacDonald said. “He’s here to provide cover in the case of injury or form and right now we’re pretty happy with both.
“Dan’s expectation isn’t to come in here and be the No 1 player, although he’s a competitive man and I know he wants to play. We’ve got to stay true to what we discussed and that’s around him giving us options and cover and adding value off the field.”
That will disappoint many around New Zealand who have been salivating at the thought of Carter squaring off against the side he earned 141 caps for over a 13-year career.
Putting that aside, however, there’s still an opportunity to catch the legendary All Black in action this weekend as Carter’s Southbridge club goes head to head with West Melton – and the Canterbury Rugby Union have made the wise decision to live-stream the match via their Facebook page from 2:45 PM NZT.
Expect Super Rugby players and coaches from around the country to tune in to gauge what they might be up against if Carter does run out for the Blues later in the season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments