Carter - Duo are world class

Playmaker voices his respect for rival coaches

Last updated: 25th July 2008

Carter: Full of respect

They are pretty similar in terms of being world-class coaches - It's quite tough to compare the two.

Dan Carter
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All Blacks star fly-half Dan Carter has refused to be drawn into speculation surrounding the frosty relationship between opposing coaches Graham Henry and Robbie Deans.

It is clear there is no love lost between the pair after Henry was reappointed as coach of the All Blacks ahead of Deans, who has switched his allegiance to the Wallabies.

The appointment has left New Zealand divided with some fans now even prepared to do the unthinkable and cheer on their great trans-Tasman rivals.

However, Carter was at his diplomatic best when asked to describe what life is like as a player under Deans and Henry and it is clear the All Blacks playmaker has a huge amount of respect for both men.

"They are pretty similar in terms of being world-class coaches - It's quite tough to compare the two," he said.

"Graham's got great support in (assistants) Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen. They probably work more as a trio than just Graham coaching the side.

"At Crusaders level, where the environment is a bit more relaxed and because he's so experienced at coaching at that level, he (Deans) really backed the players and had a good rapport with the players."

Impressive

The Wallabies remain unbeaten in Deans' tenure so far having defeated Wales and France (twice) in the build-up to their impressive opening Tri-Nations victory against South Africa in Perth last weekend.

While Carter, who is set to make his 50th All Blacks appearance on Saturday, felt there had been no dramatic change in tactics by the Australians, he believes Deans' influence has been reflected in the recent confidence shown by the Wallabies.

He added: "Robbie is best at bringing the best out of players. He's done that. He's picked a couple of new guys - (Berrick) Barnes and (Peter) Hynes - and they are really stepping up and playing extremely well.

"He's bringing the best out of the players and therefore they are playing with confidence and playing well."

Wallabies fly-half Matt Giteau is one player showing outstanding form of late, but Carter was unsure whether or not that was down to Deans.

"Matt hasn't played a lot of Test match football at number 10 but this year he's been given that opportunity and he's been playing extremely well.

"I'm not sure if that's Robbie's influence or not. I just think he is a classy player and has always been right up there."