All Black great Dan Carter is poised to announce details of a move abroad after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
The 32-year-old five-eighth is widely expected to quit New Zealand after the 2015 tournament with a French club his most likely destination.
Reports from France suggested Racing Metro has won the race for the signature of Carter – capped 102 times by his country.
Carter’s management group has called a media conference for Thursday afternoon in Auckland which will also be attended by NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew.
Carter’s role as first-choice in the All Blacks’ No.10 jersey has been put in doubt recently after the emergence of Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett.
He played 30 minutes off the bench against the United States in Chicago but then had an unconvincing 55 minutes after starting against Scotland on the All Blacks’ end of year tour.
His season was marred by injury when he broke his leg playing for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final shortly after returning to the game after a six-month break.
A lucrative short-term sabbatical for Carter with Perpignan in 2009 was cut short by injury.
Squirrel
Guest
More money than sense for an injury prone player who's best years are way behind him. He's taking the pst.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
If he isn't injured like he was at Perpignan I think Lorenzetti will try to use him a fair bit: half regular seasons games, all finals provided racing qualifies, and probably as many heineken cup games as possible. Would say 25 games/season if all goes well. Unlike the saffas who are still eligible for the boks, DC wont be selected by Hansen and will be available in November and Feb/March when all internationals play with their selection in the eoy tour and 6N. Hope its a success story and he proves like Wilko, Botha and many more before him (not Jerry Collins) that he is a true pro and give it all to his new club. I don't think DC is a mercenary but its up to him to show that.
Not Bothered
Guest
How 0.5M in London with Horwill? I hear the food is much better in England.
Not Bothered
Guest
He will probably only play around 16 of them.
tinman
Guest
Good luck DC! You're worth every penny!!
Not Bothered
Guest
Try 38 other players. Racing has a big squad.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
That's exactly what I thought NB, 15-20% of your cap on 1 player even DC is a massive gamble (I personally don't think any player deserves 20% of a squad cap). @ atlas, Boudjellal also said that no Top 14 team will be able to 'legally' achieve this. There isn't much left for the 30 other players on the roster.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yep that's a good point not bothered. Would still rather have 2M in Biarritz than 2M in Paris but I guess DC will be able to avoid the bad aspects of the city.
Jake
Guest
Not so great lifestyle?hes going to be living in France I'm sure $2mil a season will make his lifestyle easy to enjoy
Bakkies
Guest
Maybe that's what Carter wants after being in a fish bowl for so long.
stash
Roar Pro
The French League has around 26 games per season - so Carter is going to be making NZD92K a match. Not too shabby. He's given his best years to New Zealand - so good on him. Paris for 3 years... that's not too shabby either. I'm sure the wife won't be complaining. Plus a new club stadium seating 32,000 in Paris. Being a tall poppy in New Zealand has its perks - but it must also be a bit exhausting after 14 years. Everywhere you go.... everyday...every person on the street, cafe, bar, restaurant.
atlas
Guest
Big money. RM must believe he's worth it - he'll bring more sponsorship . . . He already earns over $2 million a year from his many endorsement deals, including Jockey, Adidas, Healtheries and Daikin, and various business interests. Toulon's Mourad Boudjellal lost out in the bidding war for Carter. "If you have 20 per cent of your payroll that starts with one player, it's complicated,"
stash
Roar Pro
The Telegraph is saying he will earn Euro1.5 Million per year which is around NZD2.4 Million. While Carter is getting the biggest paycheck yet for a rugby player.... no one is disclosing how much of that amount is tie-ins or sponsor dollars. So maybe the "official salary" is not as high... otherwise the salary cap budget would be impacted.
Not Bothered
Guest
3 years in Paris is not objectionable to all, especially if you are a multi millionare.
Not Bothered
Guest
$3 million per season! I find that hard to believe. Thats 1/5 of their salary cap.
atlas
Guest
Rugby Heaven reporting deal is with Racing Metro. about $3 million a season "It's going to be an awesome adventure for me and my family," Carter said. New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said while everyone was looking forward to seeing Carter in action next year, today's announcement was an opportunity to celebrate what he had achieved in New Zealand rugby. "Dan has been incredibly loyal to New Zealand rugby over the years and for that we thank him," Tew said. All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: "On behalf of the All Blacks, I want to congratulate Dan on his decision and also on his career to date. Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said: "Dan Carter has given so much to rugby in this region. He is one of the most famous rugby players in the world, but he is still a local lad who has never forgotten his roots. DC is the ultimate team player and his contribution is as significant off the field as it is on the field. Good luck to him. Hope he adds to his 102 tests before then.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
History shows its very hard to adapt to Parisian clubs in rugby or football. Perhaps the anonymity, lack of passion, long winter, not so great lifestyle etc. If I were a foreign rugby player I would pick clubs like Bordeaux, Biarritz/Bayonne, Montpellier, Perpignan (if in 1st div) or Toulouse/Toulon if you also want to win titles. Paris, Clermont, lyon, and a few others wouldn't make my list. 3 years in Paris seems very long but good luck to him.
grapeseed
Guest
As a wallaby supporter, I was still devastated for Carter in the 2011 RWC. I wonder whether the gods of sporting fairy tales are going are going to smile on him next year? Maybe they used up all their power on Ritchie? A small part of me hopes that they have some in reserve for Dan, and this confuses me. And what's the French club roster looking like? Appears those who signed contracts last summer may have missed a tightening market place. There must be some tier 1B / 2A type guys with some diminished negotiating power with so many quality guys flooding the post RWC roster.