Carter re-signs with NZRU and Crusaders until 2015

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

The Lead up to the World Cup 2011

News of Israel Dagg's three-month lay-off due to a quad injury on top of defeats to the All Blacks-stacked Blues and Crusaders rounded off an uncomfortable weekend for New Zealanders, who now must be worrying if the fates are again lining up against them this year.

Dagg is a class act with a proven ability to rise to the big occasion and would be considered a loss, not least for his versatility and booming right boot. He won't be back until July, and will have only have a few ITM Cup games to press his claims. At this rate he won't be alone, with the likes Isaia Toeava and Colin Slade also likely to require appearances in the domestic competition - and a show of faith from selectors - to play a part in the Cup.

Dig a little deeper though and there is something to cheer your nervous Kiwi friends (should you wish), not least the cameo appearance of Piri Weepu for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders and the continued excellence of Jimmy Cowan in the same game.

Weepu will never have the Sonny Bill Williams physique, but the lure of the Cup has clearly played a motivating factor in his long rehab. His weight has been kept in check and his power around the ruck and rugby smarts were missed by the All Blacks on last year's end-of-season tour.

In fact, that loss against the Wallabies in Hong Kong came without a sizeable contingent that are likely to play a major part later this year. Missing, either through injury or selection foibles, from the Hong Kong 22 and now available are: Weepu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Hosea Gear, Richard Kahui, Luke McAlister, Robbie Fruean, Zac Guildford and Sonny Bill Williams in the backs; Adam Thomson, Ali Williams and Andrew Hore in the forwards. That is a serious injection of nous, power, and experience.

Factor in that Dan Carter was removed after 60 minutes of that game for Stephen Donald - fatally so from an All Blacks point of view - to manage an ankle injury and you can build a picture that the All Blacks will be a better team this year than last. Nonetheless, with the likes of Cory Jane and Tony Woodcock still missing in action, Graham Henry and his team will be doing their best to avoid walking under any further ladders.

The list of the sidelined is better news for the Highlanders' Ben Smith, whose range of skills, consistency and error-free game must be nudging him ever closer to the top 30.

He might not have the explosiveness of other options, but that hasn't held back his namesake Conrad, and his ability to cover wing, fullback and, at a stretch, inside-centre, could offer a coach some comfort as he ponders the almost endless squad permutations.

Injuries aside, there is another elephant in the room when it comes to assessing the All Blacks' chances. Discipline.

Anyone who has watched Richie McCaw's past two games, against the Force and Cheetahs, would have been reminded of how ridiculous the conspiracists sound when the claim that he is a law unto himself under the IRB-mandated protection of Paddy O'Brien - he spent a spell in the sin bin and and a host of breakdown penalties went against him.

Nonetheless the determination of New Zealand teams, led by their captain, to operate on the edge of the law at this crucial aspect of the game opens up the real possibility they could be whistled out of a vital game. You only need to be on the wrong side of one ref for one game in a World Cup. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans alluded to it last year when he said "I personally believe that some of their cynicism won't serve them well in the long run" and his point remains as valid now as it did then.

The injuries: Dagg is in a race against time to make the Cup squad, but Brad Thorn is set to return this week.

The wildcard: Victor Vito. Is he the most suitable back-up option to Kieran Read at No.8? Better lineout option than Liam Messam and starting to find form.

All Blacks Barometer - Who's in the 30?

DAN GILHOOLY

Last updated 11:59 17/05/2011

OPINION: No dramatic movement in our first Barometer update of the year, helped by a lack of substantial injuries - for once.
The Chiefs provide the biggest movers, namely winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, centre Richard Kahui, flanker Liam Messam and hooker Hika Elliot, who all shone in that dramatic defeat of the Stormers.
Don't forget, the percentages assigned to every player are the odds we give them for being named in the All Blacks' World Cup squad of 30 unveiled some time in August.
We also have a stab at what Graham Henry and his All Blacks selectors may consider their strongest starting 15.