Dan Carter moved one step closer to completing the clean sweep of world rugby’s premier trophies, booting Racing 92 into the European Champions Cup final.
The All Blacks World Cup winner landed 11 points as the Paris side ground out a 19-16 semi-final victory over mistake-ridden Leicester in Nottingham.
Former New Zealand fly-half Carter’s largely error-free showing proved stark contrast to Leicester’s ragged performance, as Racing denied an all-English final for the first time since 2007.
Carter already boasts four Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, nine Rugby Championship victories and the 2015 World Cup triumph with New Zealand – but he is in Europe to claim the Champions Cup and French Top 14.
Only Saracens now stand between Carter and part one of that northern hemisphere club trophy hunt, with Racing into their first top-tier European final in Lyon on May 14.
France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud claimed Racing’s sole try, with Johannes Goosen’s long-range penalty added to Carter’s haul proving just enough to edge the Frenchmen to the final.
Leicester wing Telusa Veianu’s late try set up a frenetic finish, but Racing were deserved winners as Leicester left the comeback too late.
Racing’s heavy-duty pack won all the pivotal collisions, neutering Leicester’s strike runners Opeti Fonua and Manu Tuilagi.
Leicester spent all week fielding questions about how to stop 34-year-old Carter, but Racing had all the answers when it came to nullifying wrecking-ball centre Tuilagi.
Here was the England game-breaker’s chance to prove he is back to his best: it proved an opportunity he was never allowed to take.
Leicester’s frustrations in profligate attack and defeat were compounded by injury to fly-half Freddie Burns, who watched much of the match from the bench on crutches and wearing a protective boot on his left foot.
Jerry
Guest
Rod Kafer was first to do it, I think. Ali Williams has too.
MMaaxx
Guest
How many players have done the full sweep? Habana, Thorn, Juan Smith and Bakkies come to mind...
CUW
Guest
i am not sure about these concussion protocols but when Goosen came back from concussion test he was not ok. first play he had to tackle (i think the tigers replacement 10) and he layed on the ground like he was shot. think they kept him in the park for his klicking. his kick came to be decisive , only thanks to Nigel Owens. Racing dominated from 1-78. it was only at the death the tigers managed to get inside the racing 5m and score.
Bakkies
Guest
He was the man who nailed the match sealing pen after being denied a try. Made crucial tackles on Tuilagi while playing out of position. Carter finished with 14 tackles
Bakkies
Guest
He even pulled up Imhoff before he was able to get the ball down. I think he was checking for a deliberate knock on. The Racing prop was disgusted. Nige has a habit of stitching up teams who have won the ball when going back to play from the TMO. He's done it to the French in the Six Nations against England. He also awarded a try to Racing and when the camera went on him he went back to check for a forward pass on half way. He has also done that before in a semi final. Absolute drama queen who likes to stir it up for tv. Should be refereeing State of Origin
P2R2
Roar Rookie
if you read the saffa sites one would have thought Goosen was the MAN who won the game for Racing....
CUW
Guest
well, wonder how many saw the match the best referee in the world ALMOST managed to give a win to the tigers. first he called a knockon when there was none while imoff went under the posts. then add to the misery of racing , he gave a scrum to the tigers saying they had the ball last. from the scrum and ensuing pays the tigers scored and came within 5 points of racing. luckily for Owens , time was up and the kick off was the last play. it would have been interesting , if leicester managed to score and either draw or win . btw, OZ have nothing to worry about TUILAGI factor , if they watch the Racing defence. after 65 minutes Tuilagi had 7 runs for 13m LOL
Jacko
Guest
Its amazing how every team he joins seems to play much better even tho at times Carter doesn't seem to be playing that well. His organisation is second to none and his ability to pick the right thing to do at the right moment set him above the rest. Also he is a 2 times WC medal winner not 1 time.