Dan Carter has ranked his FIVE toughest opponents, including Jonny Wilkinson

Friday, 25 February 2022 at 18:12

byRugby Rucker

New Zealand legend and two time Rugby World Cup winner Dan Carter has ranked his five toughest opponents from his incredible rugby career.

The greatest back of the professional era, Carter's record speaks for itself. Way out in front as the leading points scorer in international rugby history, with 1,598 points from his 112 caps.

Throw in a further 1,708 points for the Crusaders and the fly-half’s impact on the game cannot be emphasised enough.

One of his greatest performances came in the second Test against the Lions in 2005, when he outshone Wilkinson in their fly-half battle to lead New Zealand to an emphatic 48-18 triumph in Wellington.

Sourcing several Q&A's from down the years, including one with the Independent, here is his top five:

DAN CARTER: TOUGHEST OPPONENTS

#5. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

CARTER SAID: "He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."

DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup final

#4. Brian O'Driscoll & Paul O'Connell (Ireland)

CARTER SAID: "Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O'Connell and Brian O'Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary."

3. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

CARTER SAID: "He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby.

#2. Schalk Burger (South Africa)

CARTER SAID: “A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”

DID YOU KNOW? Burger was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning team, has twice been named South African Rugby Player of the Year (in 2004 and 2011), and was named IRB Player of the Year in 2004, among other accolades

1. Jonny Wilkinson (England)

CARTER SAID: "You might of heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."

DID YOU KNOW? Wilkinson's brother, Mark, was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre