RUMOUR: Dan Carter set to make retirement u-turn for one last move

Sunday, 23 January 2022 at 10:09

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byRugby Rucker

All Blacks legend Dan Carter could be making a shock return to the sport just 12 months after initially hanging up his boots seemingly for good.

The 39-year-old. who was a key member in the team’s 2015 World Cup title victory, retired from test rugby following that tournament but has remained active in various levels of the game since.

After stints with Racing 92 in France and Kobelco Steelers in Japan, Carter returned to New Zealand in 2020 and linked up with the Blues, but failed to take the field for the Super Rugby club.

Unsurprisingly, the test centurion still has a huge following around the globe and his addition to any tournament would attract significant interest from all corners of the rugby world.

And now, reports across the pond in the US are suggesting that a number of top clubs are trying to revive a deal for Carter, who was in talks to move to Major League Rugby before the world went into lockdown.

The fly-half, who had hinted at a comeback in late 2021, has been on the field training once again in recent weeks.

His good friend Ma’a Nonu has recently committed to San Diego legion for the 2022 campaign.

“He broke me in half” – Dan Carter has ranked his FIVE 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