Friday, June 27, 2008
Daniel Carter signs with Perpignan in France
Carter, regarded as the best No. 10 in world rugby, will join Perpignan after the All Blacks' tour to Britain in November and will resume his New Zealand international duties in June next year.
He will miss next year's Super 14 tournament but return with an eye to retaining his position for the All Blacks early season internationals -- despite having played practically non-stop for 18 months.
With all the talk of Carter more than likely going to Toulon, where fellow Kiwi Tana Umaga is the coach and Jerry Collins has recently signed, Carter chose a team that will be in the Heineken Cup and expose him to that level of play.
"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 Top 14 and European Cup will bring."
Carter is the first All Black to be granted a so-called sabbatical by the New Zealand Rugby Union, which allows him to take advantage of a lucrative offer from European clubs while remaining contracted to New Zealand.
Captain Richie McCaw has a similar clause in his recently agreed contract but said he has no current plans to play overseas.
"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."
The value of Carter's contract with Perpignan had not been revealed, but published reports had estimated it to be in excess of US$1 million.
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Posted at 10:44 am | 20 comments
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Viewing 20 comments
caucau's no.1 fan June 27, 2008 10:01 am
so perpignan now have percy and DC....whats the bet they still play boring rugby??
Anonymous June 27, 2008 10:18 am
I'm happy to see DC in France... but i would prefer him in Stade Francais!!! No matter... it will be a beautiful match USAP with Carter vs SF with Hernandez
Chazza June 27, 2008 12:04 pm
^maybe, but it would have been good if he would have signed with Toulon beacause he would have george Gregan at his side at srcum half
Sharky June 27, 2008 1:37 pm
I'm glad he hasn't gone to Toulon, and like his reasoning too. Sensible guy. Whatever the amount is, it's one helluva paycheck to play the game he loves. Good on him though - he deserves it.
Random French Guy June 27, 2008 2:35 pm
Is it me or does Dan Carter seem...slightly...strange? All respects to him, great play, great kicking, great everything really, but he seems really high, tired or mentally challenged in this video (Im pretty sure he's high, they gave him some high-quality shit in Perpignan, seeing as the city's so close to Morocco ;-D ). The cold he seems to have only just adds to this impression. This is by no means against him, Ill be able to enjoy his presence in my beloved Top14 so Im just spitballing to see if its just me or if people agree.
lementeur June 27, 2008 2:57 pm
I agree, he looks like he's smoked a baobab tree.Good to see him come to France though. I'm definitely taking Canal + next year !
kvt June 27, 2008 4:55 pm
Isn't Montgomery leaving USAP?Good to see Carter isn't just going for the biggest paycheck but he wants to play against the best of Europe.Will definitely be watching more Northern Hemisphere rugby now.
Stevo June 27, 2008 6:08 pm
This just wreaks of Carter looking for money they play such boring rugby (No offence USAP fans but in all honesty the team does) Will be a disappointment
Z Cacetudo June 27, 2008 7:35 pm
What did the announcer say at 0:13? "So why Perpignan and not the nigger-rich Toulon?"Did he really say that?
Anonymous June 27, 2008 10:22 pm
I have to agree with the comment about DC's weirdness. I got the same feeling. Has he taken one to many knocks to the head? He plays smart but deffinately sounds a little slow. That or he is just stoned to the bone.
bangbang June 27, 2008 11:47 pm
if europe is so good at rugby, why the hell do they have to take players out of europe? its like deyr doing it just to weaken our international teams
Anonymous June 28, 2008 12:01 am
When you say "if europe is so good at rugby, why the hell do they have to take players out of europe?", do you really think we (the north) are under than the south game?First,I think teams pay more in Europe (it's not primordial, but it's importante). Secondly, it's a different way of game, and it's allways interesting to know others culture.But to answer: why famous international players (like hernandez, wilkinson, chabal, etc.) don't come to play in NZ, SA or AUS?
Third Centre June 28, 2008 4:54 pm
I've never heard Perpignan pronounced in such a funny manner. "pooponaan"
ontheverge June 29, 2008 9:00 am
DC is an amazing player and im just not sure he will do too well in FRance. It could be either a career breaker or one that just elevates his already godlike status.Percy is a nancy boy
Anonymous June 29, 2008 10:35 am
'if europe is so good at rugby, why the hell do they have to take players out of europe?'european club rugby is awesome. teams like the crusaders and waratahs arent exactly poor teams, yet there seems to be far more quality teams in europe, probs because they dont just use homegrown players like the super 14 teams do. therefore because of this, club rugby is better in the north, but national teams are better in the south. probs because they produce so many top quality players
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