Marty praise for perfect 10 Carter

FRANCE centre David Marty has hailed his former Perpignan team-mate Dan Carter as a “flawless” player ahead of Les Bleus’ clash with Carter’s New Zealand in Marseille on Saturday.

Carter managed just five games during his spell with the French giants before snapping his achilles tendon, but the All Blacks fly-half has nonetheless left a lasting impression in France.

Carter’s swift return to top-level rugby in such a short time following a potentially career-threatening injury was yesterday hailed by Marty.

“Frankly, I was amazed. To come back so quickly at his best level after such an injury shows that he is also a hard worker,” he said.

When asked if he had given his Tricolor team-mates any tips on Carter’s flaws, Marty said he had nothing to offer.

“I can’t see any. He is flawless,” said Marty. “He is a complete player, a match-winner and his strongest point is maybe his ability to dissect the game of his opponents in front of a video and on the pitch.”

There was similar praise from Carter’s opposite number on Saturday, with France fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc claiming that playing against him will be one of the highlights of his young career so far.

“I never had the opportunity to face him. He is the best number 10 in the world and to face him is a dream come true,” he said.

Despite posting a 27-22 win over the Blacks in Dunedin in June, France players are lining up to claim this Saturday’s clash will be a much more difficult assignment with Carter back in the pivot role. “When Carter is missing they are a different team,” said Damien Traille, a sentiment echoed by lock Romain Millo-Chluski.

“Carter will be there on Saturday,” he said. “It will be an absolutely different game.”

Meanwhile, All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw insists his side will be putting any feelings of fatigue to one side, even though the end of a draining season which began back in February is in sight.

“We realise it’s going to be a good challenge,” said the openside flanker, who will become the third most capped All Black when he wins his 80th cap at the Stade Velodrome.

“We’ve had a light couple of days at the start of the week to make sure we’re fresh for Saturday and the guys are looking forward to it.

“Last week (against England) was pretty physical. The guys realise it could even be a step up from that. But we’re pretty used to that, it’s like all Test matches.”

New Zealand have so far gone unbeaten on their November tour, beating Wales (19-12), Italy (20-6) and last week at Twickenham, England (19-6).

France have also avoided defeat in their November games, dispatching world and Tri-Nations champions South Africa (20-13) and Samoa (43-5).

The added physical dimension France are offering has not been missed by McCaw, who was adamant that there was only one way to play.

“You’ve got to give it straight back and meet them with the same sort of physicality and play some rugby,” he said.

“So if you can get on top in that area and play and put them under pressure it takes away the instrument they have.”