All Blacks legend Dan Carter is set to make a stunning return to Super Rugby, according to reports in New Zealand.
It’s been revealed that the 38-year-old has signed with the Blues where he will play alongside Beauden Barrett for the upcoming Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
Dan Carter to make shock Super Rugby comeback https://t.co/nb79yC1njQ pic.twitter.com/ve1s2o43yq
— Newshub Sport (@NewshubSport) June 3, 2020
The three-time World Rugby Player of the Year left New Zealand after playing a key role in the All Blacks’ 2015 World Cup victory, appearing firstly for France’s Racing 92, then Japan’s Kobelco Steelers.
The sight of Carter pulling on a Blues jersey is unlikely to sit well with staunch Crusaders supporters.
Carter played 141 games for the Crusaders, winning three titles, before shifting north after calling time on his illustrious test career following the 2015 World Cup.
JOIN THE RUCK
The World’s greatest ever XV
15. Serge Blanco (France)
The French icon’s international career with France saw the flamboyant fullback perform various outlandish levels of skill while winning Five Nation Grand Slams in 1981 and 1987 as well as four further titles.
Blanco was a threat from everywhere on the field and often took risks that we very rarely see nowadays. In total, he won 93 caps for France during his 11-year international career between 1980 and 1991, which was a record when he retired.
He also scored an imposing 233 points and is a true legend of the sport.
Did you know: Images of Blanco’s on-field heroics can always be viewed ironically alongside images of him strutting along the touchline nursing a cigarette.
Honourable mentions: JPR Williams (Wales), Jason Robinson (England), Percy Montgomery (South Africa)
14. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The New Zealander remains the joint all-time top try scorer at the Rugby World Cup along with Bryan Habana, crossing the whitewash on 15 different occasions across the 1995 and 1999 tournaments.
Originally of Tongan descent, it was Lomu who made it glamorous to be a big, bruising winger, even though his stature could have easily seen him fill in at centre or somewhere in the pack.
Much like the Juggernaut of the Marvel Universe, there wasn’t much that could stop Lomu once he’d gotten into a stride.
Did you know: In September 2009, Lomu took part in an amateur bodybuilding contest, finishing second in two categories
Honourable mentions: Bryan Habana (South Africa), Doug Howlett (New Zealand), Shane Williams (Wales)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
The former Ireland and British and Irish Lions Skipper Brian O’Driscoll was one of the most consistent performers in the world for over a decade.
He hung up his boots in 2014 after accumulating 133 caps for Ireland with a fantastic return of 245 points. In the emerald green, he triumphed in the Six Nations in 2009 (Grand Slam) and 2014 as well as being chosen as Player of the Tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
The Dublin-born is also the highest all-time Irish record try scorer with an incredible 46 scores, and also led his country more times than any other player.