“To finish where it all started was pretty special,” Carter said.
“Southbridge is a little town of about 700 people. Everyone plays for the right reasons — work hard all week, then enjoy the camaraderie and beers after the game. It was refreshing to go back,” he said.
“My drive to be an All Black started long before Southbridge. I was five when John Kirwan scored that magical try in the 1987 World Cup — straight out into the backyard trying to copy it. Coming from a small town, becoming an All Black wasn’t supposed to happen. But it did.”
EDITORS PICKS:
Dan Carter and Richie McCaw named their four toughest opponents
#4. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Height: 6 ft 5 in
Weight: 262 lb
Caps: 63
"He bowled me over about 5 m when I tried to tackle him in one of my first games. A superstar. Gutted I never played with him."
"When I first became an All Black he was in the team. To play alongside a guy you had watched as a young fella was pretty amazing. He made me look silly in training more than once.”
New Zealand sevens star Eric Rush played a touch game with Lomu when he was 14 years old and was so impressed he invited him to a sevens tournament in Singapore the next day.
Jonah Lomu (1975–2015) revolutionised rugby union with his blend of size, power, and speed. He burst onto the world stage during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, where his devastating runs made him an international superstar. Despite a career cut short by kidney disease, he remains one of the sport’s most iconic and influential figures.
#3. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 218 lb
Caps: 80
"Over the years I've played him a few times and you always know he's there. He was always pretty big defensively and in the breakdown area. A menace."
"He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
Dusautoir set a record for the most tackles in a Rugby World Cup match, making 38 against the All Blacks in 2007.
Thierry Dusautoir, nicknamed “The Dark Destroyer,”
#2. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
Height: 5 ft 10 in
Weight: 185 lb
Caps: 91
"You might have heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."
"He'll go down as one of the greats of world rugby."
Jonny’s brother, Mark Wilkinson, also played professionally, making 16 Premiership appearances for Newcastle Falcons between 2002 and 2005.
Jonny Wilkinson is best remembered for his dramatic drop-goal that won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Renowned for his precision kicking, intense preparation, and humility, Wilkinson enjoyed a glittering career with England, Newcastle Falcons, and Toulon, earning both domestic and European titles.
#1. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Height: 6 ft 4 in
Weight: 242 lb
Caps: 86
"You can come up against another tough team but never feel like you have had a tough match against your opposite. But with Burger you knew where they are going to be and how hard they play near the ball."
"I kept looking at my All Black jersey wondering if I had a target in the middle of it because he kept coming for me. He just kept going. He didn’t stop. A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well."
Burger overcame a life-threatening bout of bacterial meningitis in 2013, returning to international rugby the following year.
Schalk Burger, one of the fiercest Springboks of his generation, was known for his aggression, courage, and leadership. The 2004 IRB Player of the Year helped South Africa win the 2007 Rugby World Cup and became a symbol of resilience after his remarkable comeback from serious illness.
