Carter signs for Perpignan
All Blacks fly-half to spend 'sabbatical' in France
Last updated: 27th June 2008
Carter: Joining Perpignan
I have done plenty of research on both Toulon and Perpignan and whilst I have no doubt I would have enjoyed Toulon... Perpignan's qualification for next year's European Cup swayed my decision.
Dan Carter
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Perpignan have won the race for Dan Carter after the All Blacks fly-half agreed to spend his sabbatical with the French outfit.
A number of clubs across Europe had been chasing the player regarded the world's best No.10, especially after the New Zealand Rugby Union agreed to allow him to spend a season playing abroad as part of his new contract.
Big-spending Toulon, who are managed by former All Black Tana Umaga, had looked to have been in pole position to sign Carter - only for the lure of Heineken Cup rugby to see Perpignan seal the deal.
"We hear a lot about the strengths and weaknesses of the European competitions and how they compare to the Super 14 and NPC (National Provincial Championship)," said Carter.
"Basically, if I am going to play rugby in Europe I want to test myself against the best Europe can offer and I am excited about the challenges both the (French) Top 14 and European Cup will bring.
"I have done plenty of research on both Toulon and Perpignan and whilst I have no doubt I would have enjoyed Toulon... Perpignan's qualification for next year's European Cup swayed my decision."
Carter will team up with Perpignan in November, following the All Blacks tour to Britain, before returning home in June to resume his international career and his club career at Canterbury Crusaders.
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Comments
Dean Robertson says...
i think what has attracted dan carter to go to a french team is the part of france he is going more than anything because its quiet there as well . If he came to england all the teams are based in busy city areas why would you want to do that and also i think perpignan haven't got a very good deal because he is only there for a year so he has gone for the money were the likes of aaron mauger at tigers has a 2 and a half year contract so they might look good for 1 season but not the following
Posted 21:56 28th June 2008
Ronan O'connell says...
English = most arrogant country in the whole globe. New Zealand are a far better side than england and their history suggests that they always have been. No wonder when england (in any sport) are playing, the whole world seem to be up for the opposite team.....serious reality check for the whole country needed.
Posted 18:50 28th June 2008
Antony Brentnall says...
Michael, Can I remind you that we got to the final of the last world cup and won the one before that . . . you may recall both competitions as NZ choked at both!! We made consecutive finals . . . not sure any other country as ever done that! As always I'm sure the ABs will look great in the 3 years run up to the WC and then fail again during the competition . . . .
Posted 14:08 27th June 2008
Jer Maguire says...
Tom if you think the guiness premiership is a better standard than the top14 then your badly mistaken.and you also say that usap are the weakest of the french teams in the heineken cup,How about mountabaun or bourgoin???? or any of the italian teams.I think they would be at least in the top 4 teams in the gp if they were playing in it.The skill levels in french rugby is streets ahead of what is played in english club rugby where the emphasis is on big bulky ball carriers with inferior ball handling skills to there french counterparts.Fair play to carter also he could of went to touloun for a massive pay cheque and had an armchair ride for a few months but instead he opted to play heineken cup rugby where he will test himself alongside europes best
Posted 13:01 27th June 2008
Dan Felix says...
Tom the only reason he signed for a French team and not an English team was because of the salary cap.
Posted 12:30 27th June 2008
Paul Mccullough says...
Good move for both Carter and the NZRU. If anything moves like this will make the All Blacks even stronger in years to come. A move to the English premiership would have not been in the interests of either Carter or the English game as a whole. That said it's a pity that a club level Cipriani - Carter encounter is now unlikely.
Posted 12:18 27th June 2008
Michael Porter says...
Obviously the best competion is not in England judging your latest tour, the 6 nations or the Heineken cup or the World cup really. You need to live out of this shell your hiding under. There is more to world sport than England. You should be happy that he is not coming here, because if he was then it just means another English No 10 not getting a run and there fore an opportunity. The quicker you realise this the faster your rugby team will improve and then even maybe win a game.
Posted 11:51 27th June 2008
Tom Conder says...
Hmm if he really wanted to test himself against the best he would have signed for an English club, because they play in a better league. Perpignan are not a top European side and are probably the weakest French side in the European Cup, so I'm sure the money on offer as well as the location played more of a role in his decision than he is letting on. Shame as we will only see him in maybe one game on TV as i don't expect Perpignan to go far in the competition and we don't show French rugby on TV over here.
Posted 10:54 27th June 2008
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