Dan Carter picks his perfect XV - including Jonny Wilkinson

Thursday, 17 March 2022 at 08:58

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byRugby Rucker

All Blacks legend Dan Carter has revealed which of his former teammates and toughest opponents would make it into his dream XV.

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.

There was to be injury-enforced World Cup frustration in 2007 and 2011, but he ended his Test career on the perfect note as he produced a Man of the Match display in the 2015 final to guide the All Blacks to glory. A fitting farewell.

Check out his rugby dream team, made up of player he's revealed he admired in interviews below:

BACK-THREE:

15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Carter on Lomu: "“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."

CENTRES:

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)

Carter on O'Driscoll: “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.”

HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

Carter on Wilkinson: "Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)

SECOND-ROW:

4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

BACK-ROW:

6. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Carter on Burger: "“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.”

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

Carter on McCaw: "I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!"