A trimmer Tom Carter is determined to put a disappointing year behind him and force his way into the star-studded Waratahs backline. Centre Carter is the only non-international named in the NSW starting side for Saturday’s trial against the Fijian Warriors.
The hard running back started in his more familiar position of inside centre in the Waratahs’ opening trial against Queensland last weekend, but has been shifted to outside centre for this weekend’s hitout.
Carter finished last year on the bench with Kurtley Beale and Timana Tahu filling the centre positions.
Tahu has since moved back to rugby league, but Beale, who earned his first Test caps on the Wallabies’ 2009 Spring tour, has regained the No.12 jersey he occupied at the end of last season.
“Kurtley was tremendous in that position last year, he’s the incumbent and certainly the jersey is his at the moment,” Carter said.
He revealed he had been working extremely hard since the end of the last Super campaign.
He has shed around six kilos, but will still pose a significant challenge to opposing defences with his 98kg frame.
“That was one of the things I worked really hard on, I think it’s probably the best I’ve ever felt physically,” Carter told AAP.
“I was disappointed with how I played last year.
“I’ve worked really hard on my game, both physically and skill-wise in the off season and I think for me it’s a matter of going out there and playing well every week.”
Carter said he was comfortable about playing in either centre position and had worked hard during the off-season on being adaptable in his style of play.
With new recruit Berrick Barnes, Beale and Daniel Halangahu vying for the key playmaking roles, Carter said he was capable and ready of playing in either centre position.
He acknowledged the competition for backline spots was more intense than at any time since he made his NSW debut six years ago.
“I think by far and away it’s the most competitive squad I’ve ever seen, it’s a testament to the coaching staff and scott Bowen, the recruitment manager, that we’ve been able to attract such good players in Drew Mitchell, Berrick and Sosene Anesi.”
NSW also played the Fijian Warriors in a trial last year and Carter anticipated a good workout for the Waratahs against a team comprising some of the best uncapped talent from Fiji.
Paul
Guest
two things: Carter is in awesome shape this year. I know him quite well. Also he might be a bit arrogant on the park but he cops it as well as dishes it.
John allyne
Guest
No Facebook you are a bigger grub, when your to faceless to write your real name, and also you must be a very average player if you worry about whats happening on the paddock
Facebook
Guest
I have a played a number of times against Carter and I can say he is the biggest grub in club rugby! I bet he is not as dirty playing for the Tahs, it is the sign of a person how they act as a big fish in a small pond.
sportfreak
Guest
its ok BR - I picked up your sarcasm. Whilst i dont wish it to happen - he is just inviting someone to crack him one in the chops. At the uni vs wicks game last year it was always TC starting a fight or in back play rubbing someone's face in the dirt. They were winning 40 blot or something and I doubt the word gracious is known to this fellow. not a pleasant fellow to play against I would imagine and I dont mean in the Owen Finnigan sense...
Bruce Ross
Guest
I've just had the nightmare thought that someone might not realise that the above comment was tongue in cheek and that I had joined the ranks of the literal subchapter of the Carter bashers.
Bruce Ross
Guest
That's the spirit, PastHis. Better yet, two big Maoris blindside him in a dark alley and we can all have a good laugh.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
"...and one day a big maori will smash him." Agreed. And probably not even on a rugby pitch.
Crashy
Guest
Bay - Glad someone said it. Carter is an obnoxoius cheap shot merchant. He is the master of the off the ball cheap shots like pushing in the back, sledging and other try-hard garbage. He is overrated and one dimensional and one day a big maori will smash him.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Holmes will be starting by round 4. Tahs cant afford to upgrade mckibbins contract no matter how good he goes $$$
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
Carter by all accounts is a great club man, and a bit part of Sydney Uni. However, from everything I have seen and heard he is also one of the biggest sledgers on the field. He niggles everything and everyone one. Great when you are on his team, but hateful for the opposition. But then you can get away with that being a professional player amongst amateurs. In the semi last year against Eastwood at Concord he was in fine form giving gob fulls. I was down the north end near a bunch of clearly lower grade Woodies players, and they were giving it to him. Carter was wearing yellow fluoro boots from memory, and the best call was something along the lines of "When are you giving your husband's boots back?". So anyone from any club other that Uni that knows this is unlikely to be his biggest supporter. Now, does he talk it up in Super 14? Not that I recall seeing .....
Roger
Guest
This is incredible...while I agree that carter is not a distributor or kicker, what about the 10, 13 and 15 for Tahs...carter and coaches are now suffering as a scapegoat for all Tahs attacking woes when we should all be asking...why haven't the last few years' 10s just cut him out and hit the 13 or 15 on the chest out wide? let me answer...its because none of the 10 we have had have a long passing game. Really, its like everyone expects play to be determined by what the 12 does...it isnt, doesnt and never will be...the 10 dictates play, and off set peices he either runs, gives to 12 for crashball or cuts 12 out to pass to 13 to kick or run. Occassionally if 10 gets trapped in a tackle, then 12 will come to first receiver, but that seems the least of Tahs worries over the last few years. Sure, Hickey and Wisemantal and Waugh play a big role in strategy, but I am sure if tahs 10 could long pass then they would have played to that strength...i say the problem at 10 is what had made the tahs play direct rugby up the middle channel, and whn in trouble kick to line. If we had a 10 with some ability to spread the ball, then I am sure coaches would altered strategy. See nowadays 13/15 is the new channel, as 12 channel is too crowded because forwards are now so fast to breakdown. Inside centres are facing a major identity crisis due to no-one really defining the role...kicker, distributor, crash ball...who does all these things? No-one...backlines are now determined by picking best 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15, then putting the next back back at 12.
Mals
Guest
If Carter is in the backline line at 13 and there is a promising Waratah attack happening, simple - get KB at 12 to cut 1 to Anesi/Turner steaming onto it.
Bruce Ross
Guest
"one dimensional" "Carter should be back playing in the Shute Shield" "simply not a creative player" "is he ever going to to be able to beat anothe inside or outside centre one on one, in my opinion very doubtful" "have you ver seen carter pass?" "If the Tahs are going to play attractive rugby let carter go" "doubtful he would get a start in Europe" (Spiro) "last year the the NSW Waratahs attacks broke down immediately Carter got the ball and tried to bash holes in the defence" "Carter - talentless, one dimensional, plodder" "as Spiro said - NSW attack broke down last year because Carter’s passing skills were zilch" "is too slow for a 13" "Turner and Mitchell wont see much ball with him at 13" "Tom Carter can’t pass or doesn’t want to or something or other" "why’s he even getting selected?" "comparing Mortlock to Carter is like comparing a race horse to a donkey" "why would you put carter at 13 when he has never displayed any ability or skills to be able to create for outside players or to beat defence." "he has had a chance, move on and move forward" That's what I like to see, fair-minded, forthright but balanced criticism. And the post has only been up for 13 hours. Still plenty of time for other Roarers to put the slipper in. No one has yet mentioned what an embarrassment he must be to his parents and school teachers.
GM
Guest
I think we really are clutching at straws again. The NSW pack last year was dominant in most matches only to be let down by the pretty boys in the backs. Even with the clean out in the off season i really think NSW atre struggling in the backs again. This blog seems to have the consensus that Carter should be given a go because he is the best that we have. Mitchell and Turner on the wings are a worry as is the 9. I think we can see the same problems as last year, an inability to score 5 pointers
Campbell Watts
Guest
Hahaha!!!!! You could have something there FO! :-)
Andrew G
Guest
I have to agree with most of the comments, if something does not work do something about it. Not blaming carter for the Tahs woes but he has had a chance, move on and move forward. I just hope the Warathas are bold in their play and their selections. And Melon, chasing kicks is not what i describe as attacking. My dog chases a ball well, but i would not descibe him as attacking, unless he is going after the poodle down the end of the road. Lets hope the Waratahs play attacking, creative and expansive play.
reds fan
Guest
having seen a little bit of Mckibbin I also think he might emerge as the favoured scrum half. he's a tough little nugget who converted to 9 from 7. so he's used to the physical stuff, and is pretty quick when he takes a dart.
Dandy
Guest
Spiro i understand what you are saying about Carter at 13, but come on comparing Mortlock to Carter is like comparing a race horse to a donkey, and Mortlock is not the donkey. Short-blind i agree, the attack broke down cause of one dimensional crash balls, so then why would you put carter at 13 when he has never displayed any ability or skills to be able to create for outside players or to beat defence. This is not club rugby where a bit of bulk will get you over the top of your non-professional opposition. It is time for the Tahs to be creative in their play and selections, not go with the crap that has been dished up for the last 2-3 years. That means Carter a bench spot at best.
Dassie
Guest
Hi Spiros I cant agree with you on Josh Holmes. I saw him last year with the Brumbies in Canberra a number of times and while his pass may be better, he was too slow and hesitant in his decision making. When he came on he frequntly hindered the Brumbies attack, which was a dissapointment. As the season progresses it might be the third choice Mckibbin that emerges.
Hammer
Guest
I've said it before - there's zero incentive for the like of burgess to improve because he continues to get selected at both State and international level ... the same goes for Mitchell - flawed with potential when he burst onto the scene ... 4 years or so later with mutliple S14 and Wallaby caps and the same flaws remain - in fact he's probably regressed .... O'Conner is on exactly the same path ... these blokes won't learn or want to improve until the get dropped ... As for Carter - talentless, one dimensional, plodder