Forget Mark Ella, Jonny Wilkinson, Andrew Mehrtens, Michael Lynagh, Stephen Larkham, Grant Fox or Barry John – Daniel William Carter is the best fly-half to have ever graced a rugby union pitch.
His masterclass in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, the centre point of an amazing 112-Test career, demonstrated that he is in a class of his own.
His direction, his kicking in play, his decision-making, his toughness – how did he keep getting back up after getting smashed in a handful of huge hits in the first half? – not to mention his clutch drop-goal that sealed the All Blacks’ win.
Carter is a freak, the best 10 we’ve ever seen.
It is his all-round game, his excellence in every area, that sets him apart.
1987 World Cup winner Fox was a great goal-kicker and a good general. Mehrtens was also a dead-eye kicker and sublime passer, but with questionable defence. Carter supersedes both fellow Kiwis.
Ella was dynamic with the ball but retired at 25 and never graced a World Cup. Lynagh was another excellent goal-kicker, a great support-player and a World Cup winner, but Carter has had the longer and more dynamic impact.
Larkham won the 1999 tournament, and always had an excellent rugby brain, but was fragile at times and never as accurate as Carter with the boot.
Wilkinson was a machine with a kicking tee, a hard-hitting tackler and a drop-goal merchant. But he was never a strong runner of the ball, or as inventive, not in the mould of Ella or Welsh wizard Barry John.
Carter had all that and more. He could play in tight, create or make breaks himself. He could unlock a defence and he could smash you in defence.
The 33-year-old is the complete rugby player. The closest other player that reminds me of him, and that’s without the bucket arse, is rugby league’s Andrew Johns.
Johns is an Immortal of the 13-man code and Carter holds similar status in the game they play in heaven.
He’s won every accolade there is – twice IRB player of the year, twice Super Rugby player of the year, all-time Super Rugby and international top point scorer, Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders four times, Top 14 champion with Perpignan in 2009, slayer of the Lions in 2005, Tri-nations, Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup champion countless times.
The list goes on. Add on another World Cup for good measure.
The lad from Leeston is a special individual and the 2015 final at Twickenham, when the pressure was on, just reinforced that standing.
Those who have seen him play in the flesh can count themselves lucky. As one Roarer put it “Carter is god”. A rugby god, a king among five-eighths, there can be no doubt.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
Michael
Guest
Does Quade qualify to represent Oz at the Olympic 7s? He travels on a NZ passport and it's incredibly difficult for Kiwis who moved to Oz post-2001 to achieve residency, let alone citizenship. Living in Europe may even exacerbate that issue. Bear in mind that Olympic nationality requirements are more stringent than IRB.
wardad
Guest
Yes james but we arent comparing your blogging career to Carters rugby career now are we ?
wardad
Guest
Fox only ever scored one try and that was in the 87 final wasnt it ? Carters 29 tries up til 2010 is pretty good going from any player. Man o man theres some fabulous names in that list eh wot ?
wardad
Guest
Foley is your journeyman player isnt he ? I mean no one expects too much from him and you wouldnt expect him to reach any great heights . Good not a great .
wardad
Guest
Yeah but its Rattue innit ?
tony
Guest
rubbish
Coconut
Guest
To think Rattue was leading a campaign in NZ to have Carter dropped....WTF!
mactheblack
Guest
I am a huge Carter fan. But, frankly I am tiring of these comparisons to different eras - let's leave each to their own! Game was different then, to what it is now! Flyhalves have more time on the ball these days - but of course it still takes class to dominate the opposition
Fox
Roar Guru
Agreed and Stephen Larkham has already come out and called Carter the greatest no10 the games history and that was before the WC final
Rugby Tragic
Guest
WOW Lindsay if that is correct about DC, I am a little surprised. Pocock was to me the international player of the year... All I can say is the weighting of points in the RWC must of been massive. I though am happy for Dan Carter of course, but just as Thierry Dusautoir won the gong in 2011 when I thought Kaino was a shoe in, the RWC weighting must have decided it.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Nah nope Jamesthe Elder... you've got it all wrong I'm afraid. Close, but all the same wrong. Sorry. NZ 100% pure... yeah?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Very good JGS, that's a lifetime of memories with that many matches. I was the same in Auckland with Jones, JK etc and the golden era they had. Don't go to tests much anymore, just a few SXVs as it's less hassle.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Pretty good list alright. I enjoyed the Irish battle between Olly Campbell and Tony Ward, one a lithe Sexton type player the other a little pocket rocket like Giteau. Lionsv80 tour I think they shared the duties, Campbell winning out generally. Porta had everything, could do the lot and was a gifted kicker off both feet. Scored three dropped goals versus Bay of plenty in 79 here and under pressure fielding a kick climbed up and headed the ball into touch in true Maradonna style. Very gifted 10 and often won matches on his own, scoring every point, every way.
breakdown
Guest
He made the last pass for kuridranis try in the final...he also made that beautiful harbour bridge pass for AAC in the semi... plus theres the two he scored against England... plus he set up the final break that led to our 3rd try in that match... against Scotland he set up a couple of our tries... Plus his kicking was fabulous throughout the tournament. I mean lets not kid ourselves he was one of the stars of the tournament. After the pool stage he was definitely the best no 10 and it took the greatest flyhalf of the pro era to get the better of him in the playoffs. he had a great tournament. 2nd best fly-half in the world at the moment.
richard
Guest
sheek,seriously Jackie Kyle has to be the best flyhalf Ireland ever produced.Can't believe you overlooked him.
marto
Guest
HAHA... One try assist ... WOW.. Well Well ..We seem to have much lower expectations of our number 10`s these days since Quade left..
Stucco
Guest
Knowing that the ABs would kick (which they did) you'd rather have Folau to deal with that than Beale. Folau didn't have a great tournament but he was still fantastic under the high ball
Lindsay Amner
Roar Guru
Great summary there Sheek. I'd have to add Nicky Allen to the NZ list. Although his life and career were tragically cut short he had the makings to be the complete flyhalf an a par with Dan Carter.
Jamesthe Elder
Guest
100% pure drivel
Jerry
Guest
Foley played very well I thought. You don't need to run him down to big up Carter.