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Master of the Impossible

With Dan Carter unavailable for the All Blacks until mid-way through the Tri Nations, New Zealand was given an unwelcome reminder of just how important he is to the fortunes of the national team.

Tuesday, 03 November 2009

Gregor Paul

Gregor Paul charts just what's so special about this once-in-a-generation player in the November issue of NZ Rugby World. Here, we give you the highs and lows of 'The Dan Carter Story' to date.

2003
FEBRUARY Is the first choice first five for the Crusaders but shifts to second five mid-way through the campaign to make-way for Andrew Mehrtens. Plays in the final against the Blues.
JUNE Carter makes his All Black debut at second five against Wales in Hamilton. He scored 21 points and was so relaxed taking his first kick at goal the referee had to tell him to hurry up.
SEPTEMBER Is selected in the All Black World Cup squad but injures his knee in the pool games so isn’t used in the knock-out stages.

2004
FEBRUARY Plays second five for the Crusaders again as they make it to the final but are beaten for the second consecutive year – this time losing to the Brumbies.
JUNE Carter establishes himself in the All Black starting XV at second five.
NOVEMBER Carter plays his first test at first five against Italy as the selectors believe that could be his best position. He plays all three tests on tour.

2005
MAY Plays No 10 for the Crusaders and leads them to the Super 12 title.
JULY Scores 33 points in the second test against the British Lions in what could be one of the best ever individual performances from a first five.
AUGUST Breaks his leg playing against the Wallabies in Sydney.
NOVEMBER Returns to the All Black fold looking as sharp as ever and plays majestically on the Grand Slam tour.

2006
MAY Wins his second Super Rugby title with the Crusaders who beat the Hurricanes in the ‘Fog Final’.
NOVEMBER Scores a brilliant try against England at Twickenham to remind the world of his class.

2007
APRIL Makes his first Super 14 appearance of the year having been forced to sit out the early rounds as part of the All Black conditioning programme.
JULY Restores confidence about his iffy form with a commanding performance in the final Tri Nations test against Australia.
OCTOBER After suffering an ankle injury there are doubts whether Carter will be fit to play in the World Cup quarter-final. He takes his place but is unusually erratic and limped off after 60 minutes.

2008
JANUARY Began to feel stale and told All Black coaches he was likely to head overseas at the end of the year.
APRIL Is granted special permission to play six months overseas from January 2009 as long as he signs three-year contract with the NZRU.
NOVEMBER Caps a sensational year with four solid matches on the Grand Slam tour.

2009
JANUARY Injures his Achilles playing for Perpignan and is ruled out for a minimum of six months.
JULY Returns to club rugby. A week later he is selected to start for Canterbury.
AUGUST Is recalled to the All Blacks and starts against the Wallabies where he kicks the winning penalty.

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