Dan's the man, but who'll get him?
A move to a northern hemisphere club seems certain after he completes his duties with New Zealand on their Grand Slam tour this autumn, which takes in a Test against Ireland in Croke Park and, possibly, a midweek match against Munster at Thomond Park.
It will be a nightmare for New Zealand rugby to lose a player of Carter’s quality. The hugely marketable out-half has become the modern face of the All Blacks, and the NZRU will not want to see their most prized asset join a galaxy of stars in the northern hemisphere. But the NZRU’s worst nightmare is unfolding before their eyes as Carter eyes up Europe for at least 18 months before returning in 2010 to build towards the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
Apparently French and English clubs, Welsh regions and Irish provinces are in full recruitment mode and the richest are going for the biggest name of them all - Carter - with offers in the region of €750,000 already being made from France.
One proposal could see Carter, whose current deal expires this year, sign with a major European club for six, 12 or possibly 18 months while remaining contracted to the NZRU. Under the terms of that deal, Carter would be able to enjoy a European sojourn and know when he would be returning to New Zealand and under what conditions.
The following are the five likely teams vying for the All Black star. But who’ll ‘Get Carter’?
A city that claims to the epicentre of rugby union will go to great lengths to land the jewel in the game's crown. Since Freddie Michalak's departure to Natal Sharks, the three-time Heineken Cup champions haven't found an adequate replacement. David Skrela returns to Toulouse in the summer but he's not an exciting, play-making out-half in the mould of Carter. Valentin Courrent has tried to fill the void left by Michalak and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde has played there too, most recently in their Heineken Cup quarter final win over Cardiff Blues. But Elissalde is a scrum half and has had to share the nine shirt with Byron Kelleher this season. Carter would be the dream capture and would renew a successful All Blacks half back partnership.
Carter would need to realise quickly that the club, and not the union, own him. The NZRU might want to keep him contracted, thus limiting the number of games he plays. But Toulouse will say they're paying the salary and Carter could be coming out of full Super 14 season with the Crusaders, a Test season with the All Blacks and straight into the energy-sapping demands of a Top 14 season coupled with four rounds of Heineken Cup pool matches in December and January. Given Toulouse's ability to make the play-offs seasonally, they'll be playing until mid-June. He'd find out soon enough his “sojourn”, as the NZRU describe it, will be no holiday.
Max Guazzini’s millions would ensure Carter goes home after 18 months a rich man. Stade aim to out-bid Toulouse as they search to fill the void that will be left after the departure of two big names this summer. David Skrela moves to Toulouse and their outstanding Argentinean magician, Juan Martin Hernandez, has made no secret of his desire to team up with his former mentor, Marcelo Loffreda, at Leicester. Guazzini likes his team to play with French flair and, in Carter, they'd have the great entertainer. Carter does a lot of business, too, with adidas, who are also Stade's shirt sponsors and their representatives might play a part in any deal. Don't know how Carter would take to wearing their away pink jersey, though!
How will a New Zealand country boy hack it in cosmopolitan Paris? On the field, he could be run from pillar to post given the demands of the French club season. Guazzini is reportedly unhappy with the lack of success in Europe, and is gunning to land that elusive Heineken Cup. So, the pressure on Carter will be immense. He will need to win over the French crowd, too, and they already have a favourite in Lionel Beauxis. He will need to be mentally equipped for the challenge.
Blues backer, Peter Thomas, has made no secret of his desire to land a world class out-half this summer. And he's a huge fan of New Zealand rugby. Ben Blair and Xavier Rush have turned out to be solid if unspectacular signings. And don't forget Jonah Lomu's brief sabbatical with the Blues. Lomu's six month stint did not come cheap but attendances and shirt sales went up two-fold.
Their inability to land some silverware is arguably down to the fast that they don't have a world class out-half. If Carter moved for just the18 months, the Blues could well stump up the cash for his signature. A short-term deal could bring about short-term gain and a Magners League or Heineken Cup title.
Not too many reasons against coming here. He'd play fewer games than if he were in France, and will be residing in a country which, like New Zealand, loves its rugby and its superstars. However, the weight of expectation will be huge and he may find the adulation of the fans and press attention too much to bear. Plus, Blues fans are becoming impatient with the lack of tangible success in terms of trophies. Carter will have to deliver on his big pay day and may not be comfortable with all the hassle.
Not afraid to splash the cash as they continue to build for their return to the Guinness Premiership next season. Owner Keith Barwell loves his entertainers at number 10 and the current incumbent, All Black Carlos Spencer, has turned out to be a huge favourite at Franklins Gardens. Carter also entertains, but is a more reliable and consistent out half than Spencer, and could be key to the Saints re-emergence as serious contenders in the GP next season. Unlike life in France, he'll find the living easier in an English-speaking country and will not be too far from one of his favourite cities - London!
Huge expectations from a passionate Franklins Garden support. Spencer was the Saints Supporters Player of the Year in his first season could move to outside centre; then they'll demand miracles from the 26-year-old. Like in France there is a huge demand both mentally and physically on players in the English Premiership. He'll need to be prepared for a long gruelling season and half and the one dimensional, defence-oriented rugby he faces may not be to his liking either.
The promise of teaming up in the three-quarters with his All Blacks mate, Luke McAlister could see him move to Manchester. It would be prove a fruitful 10-12 axis for the Sharks, and both could inter-change here. The Sharks are quite ambitious and didn't hesitate in forking out major money in landing McAlister.
Could spend a while sharing the out-half slot with Sale favourite, Charlie Hodgson. If Phillipe Saint-Andre does leave next season a new coach may want to play McAlister at 10 and experiment with Carter at 12.
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