World Rugby has announced that five players who left their indelible marks on the Rugby World Cup stage will be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame presented by TUDOR at the World Rugby Awards in Paris, France, on 29 October.
The World Rugby Hall of Fame presented by TUDOR recognises those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game of rugby throughout their careers, while also demonstrating rugby’s character-building values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.
The five inductees bring the total in the Hall of Fame to 166 since it began in 2006.
World Rugby Chairman and Hall of Fame inductee Sir Bill Beaumont said: “Rugby World Cup 2023 is our 200th birthday party, the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness. We are proud to be inducting five legends of the game, players who are indelibly linked to the remarkable Rugby World Cup story.
“Each have played a huge role in making the sport what it is today, exciting and inspiring in equal measure, while always being superb ambassadors for their sport. Their impact was greater than the field of play, it transcended sport and society, taking rugby to another level. Congratulations to our inductees. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the World Rugby Awards in Paris on 29 October.”
Dan Carter (New Zealand)
World Rugby Hall of Fame – Inductee No.162
Dan Carter is the highest points scorer in the history of test rugby (1,598 points) and is without doubt one of the greatest players of the modern age.
Initially an inside-centre for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks, Carter announced his arrival on the international stage with 20 points against Wales in his first test start in Hamilton in 2003.
It wasn’t until the 22nd of his 112 caps, against Italy in Rome in November 2004, that Carter took hold of the 10 jersey and remained in possession of it virtually untouched for another 11 years. Many consider his 33-point contribution in the second test of the 2005 British and Irish Lions series to be the best match individual match performance ever.
As a fly-half, Carter was more than a brilliant tactician and world-class goal-kicker, he had the skills, agility and speed to open up defences in his own right as well as facilitating tries for others.
He was a hugely influential figure during a trophy laden era for the Crusaders and the All Blacks, as well as enjoying spells in French club rugby with Perpignan and Racing 92 and Kobelco Steelers in Japan, winning three Super Rugby titles and nine Tri-Nations/Rugby Championships and two Rugby World Cups.
Injury deprived Carter of any involvement in the business end of New Zealand’s win in 2011 – his third Rugby World Cup – but the man from Southbridge on the South Island was the inspiration behind their 2015 triumph. Carter scored 82 points in six starts, kicking 19 points in the final including a drop goal and long-range penalty to halt Australia’s fight-back.
Shortly after that international swansong, Carter joined team-mate Richie McCaw in becoming a record three-time recipient of the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year award, having also received the accolade in 2005 and 2012.