Dan Carter set for shock return to Super Rugby with the Blues - report

June 03, 2020
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Ultimate Rugby

Reports in New Zealand suggest that former All Black flyhalf Dan Carter has signed with the Blues for Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Carter recently finished his stint in Japan with Kobe Kobelco Steelers and is effectively a free agent after two seasons in the Top League.

World of Sports has reported that they have obtained a screenshot of a message delivered by Blues coach Leon MacDonald to staff on Wednesday evening, which says he [Dan Carter] will be "joining the squad as injury cover for Stevie [Stephen Perofeta]".

The report goes on to state that the Blues have not confirmed the leaked message, but it's understood to be accurate.

Carter spent 13 seasons with the Crusaders before moving to France after spearheading the All Blacks to back to back World Cup triumphs by defeating the Wallabies 34-17 at Twickenham.

The 38-year-old is a three-time World Rugby Player of the Year and spent three seasons with Racing 92 in Paris, before moving to Kobe Steelers where he delivered the Japanese outfit a title in his maiden season.

The signing of Carter would mean the Blues had both Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter in their ranks with Otere Black also in the mix at first five.

A potential game-changer for the Blues 😳

Dan Carter + Beauden Barrett 🔥https://t.co/MkOt2eW10i
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 3, 2020

Speaking to Irish first-five Johnny Sexton recently, Carter suggested players could now push their careers into their 40s.

"Using this time off, it's something you don't get as a professional rugby player," Carter said. "Having two or three months, maybe it's going to be much longer, of not having that constant grind, that contact. So it is like a mini sabbatical. I was very fortunate to have a couple through my career, but if it's used wisely the young players that have been playing heavily for the past four or five seasons, it's perfect timing.

"Then you look at the other side of the spectrum with more experienced players like yourself [Sexton], you don't get many opportunities like this. So, if it's used wisely and you keep training, and as long as your motivation upstairs is still there, I can't see why you can't play longer than potentially you thought you might, with having a break like this.