Dan Carter the best ever, says rival Stephen Larkham

Stephen Larkham insists Australia will face the greatest fly-half of all time when they clash with New Zealand in Saturday’s World Cup final at Twickenham.

Dan Carter will make his 112th Test appearance as the All Blacks’ playmaker in chief when the world champions seek to become the first team to defend their crown by lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for an unprecedented third time.

The 33-year-old may no longer be the magician who left the British and Irish Lions spellbound in 2005 but backs coach Larkham – himself a distinguished former fly-half – believes his position among the all-time greats is already guaranteed.