Carter: I can’t wait to be back in Black

NEW ZEALAND playmaker Dan Carter believes putting the All Black jersey back on will bring the best out of him ahead of the season-opening Test against Ireland tomorrow.

Carter struggled to find his best form during the recently-completed Super 14 campaign as his Crusaders side bowed out at the semi-final stage for the second consecutive year.

The 28-year-old endured criticism for his performances, albeit during a season when he became just the second player to surpass 1,000 points in Super 14 rugby. Carter is also just six points shy of achieving the same feat in Test rugby and with that milestone in sight he has warned he is fully focused ahead of the one-off Test with Ireland and two further Tests against Wales.

Carter admitted: “My form has been mixed but I have put that behind me and putting on the All Blacks jersey is something special. You have to take your game to a higher level no matter what has happened before so I’m still extremely confident and excited to go out and really get stuck in to direct this team and play my game.

“It can be tough when they expect you right from the first game of the year to be absolutely firing.

“It is a long season and I am not concerned about what’s happened to date, I’m still confident in my abilities and, like I said, putting on the black jersey is a little bit special.

“I’m looking forward to that and I’m confident of turning things around and improving as the season goes on.”