Dan Carter’s Son Could Snub All Blacks for Shock Six Nations Switch

Rugby News
Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 18:20
Dan Carter’s sons are already showing strong signs of rugby talent — but they could one day turn down the chance to play for the All Blacks in favour of representing a Six Nations nation.
With Carter’s legendary status casting a long shadow, there’s growing speculation that his boys may choose a different path to avoid the immense pressure of following in their father’s footsteps.


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Meet the Carter Boys

Dan and Honor Carter have four sons:
    Carter often shares snippets of their lives online, showing the boys tossing around a rugby ball and loving the game from an early age.

    Could They Choose the Six Nations?

    While New Zealand would naturally be the frontrunner for any Carter child eyeing international rugby, the pull of the Six Nations is very real — especially Ireland, where Dan himself was once eligible to play.
    That’s right — the All Blacks legend nearly wore green. If his children inherit that eligibility through ancestry or future residency, it could open the door for one of the Carter boys to represent a Northern Hemisphere giant.
    And with New Zealand’s unforgiving rugby spotlight and constant comparisons to their father inevitable, a switch to Europe might offer a fresh slate and less intense scrutiny.

    Carter Legacy: A Blessing or a Burden?

    For all the benefits of being Dan Carter’s son — access, coaching, and inspiration — there’s also the crushing pressure of expectation. The All Blacks jersey is sacred in New Zealand, and anyone named Carter would have a microscope on them from day one.
    A move north, whether through club rugby or international pathways, could allow the Carter boys to carve out their own legacies — perhaps even writing a new chapter in the Six Nations.

    Funny interaction:

    ChatGPT said:
    In the next issue of Rugby Journal, out on Friday, Carter laughed at his own expense as he recalled his experience:
    “It’s funny, because to my kids, I’m just their father, so I might tell them something, their coach will say the exact same thing, and then they’ll listen to the coach more than they’ll listen to me.
    “A year or so ago,” he continued, “my now twelve-year-old son asked if I could find him a kicking coach, maybe Richie Mo’unga or Beauden Barrett, to help with his kicking.
    “My wife just burst out laughing. That’s the beauty of being a parent. After about thirty seconds, he did say, ‘actually, you know something about kicking, don’t you?’
    “I can try to help, but they don’t really want to listen, and I kind of enjoy that.”

    Rugby Referee Worth £39M: Wealthiest Rugby Stars (Ranked 10–1)

    In this list, we rank the 10 wealthiest rugby stars and personalities in 2025, showcasing how their dedication to the sport—and beyond—has turned into serious wealth.
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    10. Beau Ryan (Rugby League) – £7M

    Transitioning from Rugby League to a television presenting career, Beau Ryan’s ventures and media work have made him highly lucrative, with reports suggesting a net worth near R200 million.

    9. Nigel Owens (Wales, Referee) – £8M

    Legendary international referee Nigel Owens built his fortune from refereeing, media work, and public appearances, becoming one of the most respected figures in rugby.

    8. Dan Carter (New Zealand) – £15M

    All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter reached £15M through international and club contracts, as well as endorsements.

    7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – £15M

    All Blacks legend Richie McCaw earned his wealth from an illustrious rugby career, endorsements, and business activities.

    6. Francois Pienaar (South Africa) – £15M

    1995 World Cup-winning captain Pienaar has a net worth of £15M, accumulated from his rugby career and post-retirement business ventures.

    5. Bryan Habana (South Africa) – £15M

    The Springboks speedster earned his wealth through a stellar playing career, endorsements, and media appearances.


    4. Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) – £20M

    Williams has combined his rugby and boxing careers with endorsements and business projects to reach a substantial net worth.

    3. Jonny Wilkinson (England) – £21M

    The 2003 Rugby World Cup hero has a net worth of £21M, earned through his playing career, media appearances, and business ventures.

    2. Mike Tindall (England) – £25M

    Former England international, Tindall has built his fortune through media work, endorsements, and royal family connections, being married to Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II.

    1. Simon McDowell (Ireland) – £39.3M

    Former rugby referee and chemical mogul, McDowell amassed his wealth through his company Kilwaughter Minerals, a leading producer of lime-based products.
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