allblacks.com - (18/05/2011) -
One of the biggest names in world rugby, the All Blacks key playmaker and first five–eighth Daniel Carter has re–signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Crusaders franchise through until 2015, it was announced today.
The re–signing of Carter is a major boost for New Zealand rugby, with Carter now part of a core group of experienced All Blacks playing beyond this year’s Rugby World Cup.
29–year–old Carter said: “This has been an incredibly important decision for me personally and I have received some significant offers to play overseas which were both flattering and tempting. But in the end the overriding factor for me was the All Blacks jersey.”
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said: “We are absolutely delighted Dan has chosen to continue his career in New Zealand and we have the utmost respect for him, knowing he had some serious options to consider.”
Tew confirmed that the NZRU had “thought outside the square” in securing Carter.
“We believe that the contract is a reflection of the high standing that Dan has in the game both here and overseas. We have been very flexible in our approach, which again shows how important we think Dan is to the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby.
“As an example, we have built in options for Dan to take an extended break from the game if he so wishes – whether that’s to take a break from rugby or play overseas – and he will discuss that with us at the right time.”
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “Daniel is the best player in the world in his position, one of the best to have ever worn the All Blacks jersey and the vice-captain and on–field navigator of the All Blacks. He is a tremendous ambassador for the All Blacks and our national game and fans both here in New Zealand and overseas will be celebrating his re–signing.”
Crusaders Coach Todd Blackadder added: “This is great news for New Zealand rugby. Dan has been an important part of the Crusaders and Canterbury rugby for many years and for him to re-commit long-term is a real boost. Dan obviously offers so much to every team he plays for when he’s on the field but his off-field input is also highly important. He’s a true professional and a real hard worker and is a joy to have around, to be honest.”
Warren Alcock, from Carter’s management company, Essentially Group, has been involved in player contracts since the inception of professional rugby and said the agreement had been the most comprehensive individual contract he had been involved in.
“It has a level of detail and complexity that we haven’t faced in New Zealand before. That has required both parties to be innovative and it also reflects a high degree of trust between the NZRU and Dan,” he said.
“I have seen first–hand how hard it has been for Dan to make this decision and to balance the various issues he had to consider. In the end, the one consistent factor for him has been the enjoyment and pride he gets from representing his country,” he added.
Daniel Carter made his Super Rugby and All Blacks debut in 2003 and has been breaking records ever since. He has played 79 Tests and is currently the most capped All Blacks first five–eighth and sixth most capped All Black of all time. He is the second highest points scorer in international Test history scoring 1,188 points in those 79 Tests, and is Super Rugby’s highest points scorer with 1,174 points so far.
Carter has also scored the most points by any All Black in Tests against Australia (245 points), South Africa (221), England (167), Wales (162), France (106), Italy (53) and Canada (47), and the most points in a Test match against Wales (27 points), England (26), South Africa (25, jointly with Carlos Spencer) and Canada (29) as well as the brilliant 33 points he scored in the second Test against the British & Irish Lions in 2005. He has twice won the New Zealand Player of the Year and Super Rugby Player of the Year awards and was IRB Player of the Year in 2005.
Carter joins a group of current and recent All Blacks who have recommitted to New Zealand rugby after this year’s Rugby World Cup, including hookers Keven Mealamu and Hikawera Elliot, the All Blacks most capped prop Tony Woodcock and fellow prop Ben Franks, locks Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock, loose forwards Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Daniel Braid, Liam Messam and Victor Vito, and backs Jimmy Cowan, Alby Mathewson, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
Daniel Carter
Born: 5 March 1982 in Leeston, Canterbury
Physical: 1.79m, 92kg
Position: First five-eighth
Province: Canterbury
Investec Super Rugby team: Crusaders
All Blacks Debut: 21 June 2003, vs Wales in Hamilton, aged 21.
All Blacks Tests: 79
All Blacks Test Points: 1188pts (29 tries, 208 conversions, 207 penalties, two dropped goals)
All Black Number: 1034
29–year–old Carter said: “This has been an incredibly important decision for me personally and I have received some significant offers to play overseas which were both flattering and tempting. But in the end the overriding factor for me was the All Blacks jersey.”
NZRU CEO Steve Tew said: “We are absolutely delighted Dan has chosen to continue his career in New Zealand and we have the utmost respect for him, knowing he had some serious options to consider.”
Tew confirmed that the NZRU had “thought outside the square” in securing Carter.
“We believe that the contract is a reflection of the high standing that Dan has in the game both here and overseas. We have been very flexible in our approach, which again shows how important we think Dan is to the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby.
“As an example, we have built in options for Dan to take an extended break from the game if he so wishes – whether that’s to take a break from rugby or play overseas – and he will discuss that with us at the right time.”
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “Daniel is the best player in the world in his position, one of the best to have ever worn the All Blacks jersey and the vice-captain and on–field navigator of the All Blacks. He is a tremendous ambassador for the All Blacks and our national game and fans both here in New Zealand and overseas will be celebrating his re–signing.”
Crusaders Coach Todd Blackadder added: “This is great news for New Zealand rugby. Dan has been an important part of the Crusaders and Canterbury rugby for many years and for him to re-commit long-term is a real boost. Dan obviously offers so much to every team he plays for when he’s on the field but his off-field input is also highly important. He’s a true professional and a real hard worker and is a joy to have around, to be honest.”
Warren Alcock, from Carter’s management company, Essentially Group, has been involved in player contracts since the inception of professional rugby and said the agreement had been the most comprehensive individual contract he had been involved in.
“It has a level of detail and complexity that we haven’t faced in New Zealand before. That has required both parties to be innovative and it also reflects a high degree of trust between the NZRU and Dan,” he said.
“I have seen first–hand how hard it has been for Dan to make this decision and to balance the various issues he had to consider. In the end, the one consistent factor for him has been the enjoyment and pride he gets from representing his country,” he added.
Daniel Carter made his Super Rugby and All Blacks debut in 2003 and has been breaking records ever since. He has played 79 Tests and is currently the most capped All Blacks first five–eighth and sixth most capped All Black of all time. He is the second highest points scorer in international Test history scoring 1,188 points in those 79 Tests, and is Super Rugby’s highest points scorer with 1,174 points so far.
Carter has also scored the most points by any All Black in Tests against Australia (245 points), South Africa (221), England (167), Wales (162), France (106), Italy (53) and Canada (47), and the most points in a Test match against Wales (27 points), England (26), South Africa (25, jointly with Carlos Spencer) and Canada (29) as well as the brilliant 33 points he scored in the second Test against the British & Irish Lions in 2005. He has twice won the New Zealand Player of the Year and Super Rugby Player of the Year awards and was IRB Player of the Year in 2005.
Carter joins a group of current and recent All Blacks who have recommitted to New Zealand rugby after this year’s Rugby World Cup, including hookers Keven Mealamu and Hikawera Elliot, the All Blacks most capped prop Tony Woodcock and fellow prop Ben Franks, locks Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock, loose forwards Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Daniel Braid, Liam Messam and Victor Vito, and backs Jimmy Cowan, Alby Mathewson, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Ben Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden.
Daniel Carter
Born: 5 March 1982 in Leeston, Canterbury
Physical: 1.79m, 92kg
Position: First five-eighth
Province: Canterbury
Investec Super Rugby team: Crusaders
All Blacks Debut: 21 June 2003, vs Wales in Hamilton, aged 21.
All Blacks Tests: 79
All Blacks Test Points: 1188pts (29 tries, 208 conversions, 207 penalties, two dropped goals)
All Black Number: 1034
No comments:
Post a Comment