Dan Carter admitted he could hardly have a better ending to his glittering international career after his man-of-the-match performance helped the All Blacks to a historic World Cup triumph.

New Zealand boss Steve Hansen has hailed the durability of “special player” Dan Carter as he prepares to line up in his first Rugby World Cup final.

Dan Carter admits he could not have climbed to the top of world rugby without Jonny Wilkinson’s workaholic precedent.