Dan Carter's 'last opportunity' to win European title
Former All Black flyhalf Dan Carter has spoken to The Guardian about his 'last opportunity' to win a European title following Racing's quarterfinal win over Clermont.
Carter came off the bench to have a hand in two tries which sealed the 28-17 win.
The 36-year-old has already won a Top 14 title in 2016 with his French club Racing but fell short of winning a European title that same year, going down to Saracens 21-9 in the final. It is his last season before taking up a contract in the Japan Top League with the Canon Eagles.
"We have a huge urge to win the Champions Cup," he said.
"It was my priority when I moved to France and this is my last opportunity. We made the final in 2016 and want to go one better but we cannot get ahead of ourselves because [semifinal opponents] Munster are a class side and we will have to pull out something special."
Paul Rees writing for The Guardian lavished praised on Carter's cameo performance adding that he "transformed the match" as Racing were down 17-16 at the half.
"On a weekend when the intensity and quality of the four matches was virtually international standard it was fitting that one of the leading players of his generation played a leading part.
Racing will play Munster in their semi-final after they pipped Toulon 20-19 while Leinster will play Scarlets in the other semi-final.
Latest Comments
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to comments