Why Dan Carter expects All Blacks to ‘make a real statement’ before RWC
Legendary playmaker Dan Carter, who knows a thing or two about winning Rugby World Cups, has shared some of his wisdom ahead of the All Blacks’ pursuit of glory in France later this year.
Carter is widely considered one of the greatest rugby players in the history of the sport. The former All Black has two World Cup crowns to his name, and was named the world’s best player on three occasions.
It’s hard to argue with Carter’s rugby resume – the flyhalf was one of the all-time greats.
After starting the 2011 Rugby World Cup on home soil with the All Blacks, Carter was injured during training ahead of a pool match against Canada.
But four years later, Carter made amends – finally getting his moment to start on the biggest stage in rugby union. The first five was clearly the All Blacks’ best player during their triumphant 2015 campaign.
Clearly, Carter knows what it takes to hoist the Webb Ellis Trophy.
But the 41-year-old is long retired. The current generation of New Zealand’s best rugby talent is just a couple of months away from their own shot at destiny.
Whether they succeed or fall short in France, history will be made.
The All Blacks begin their 2023 international season next weekend against Los Pumas in Mendoza. Carter stressed that they need to “make a real statement” in that opening Test.
“They want to be able to obviously be growing going into the World Cup but they need to start and make a real statement right from day one – right from the very first match,” Carter told Newshub.
“They don’t have a long prep going into the Cup so they need to be firing on all cylinders on day one.
“That shortened prep means there will be a lot of hard work, preparation, time within the culture to make sure they can hit the ground running and just continue to grow from there.”
It’s been said time and time again, and with good reason, that this year’s Rugby World Cup promises to be the biggest and most competitive iteration of the famous tournament yet.
While southern hemisphere sides New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have historically dominated the competition, there’s a genuine sense of belief that a northern side will reign supreme.
World No. 1 Ireland are looking to progress past the quarter-finals for the first time, while tournament favourites France will carry the hopes of a nation throughout their home World Cup.
But one team that isn’t being talked about as much as normal is the All Blacks.
New Zealand aren’t the favourites; some rugby fans wouldn’t have them in the top three.
But as Carter discussed, that doesn’t really matter.
“This is one of the most closely contested World Cups of all time,” Carter added.
“There are probably half a dozen teams that could go on to win this World Cup and there are probably 12 teams that could all beat those top half a dozen teams as well.
“Obviously the All Blacks won’t go in as favourites but I don’t think that really matters. Very rarely do the favourites win the Rugby World Cup anyway.
“That’ won’t change any of the planning going into this World Cup. They’ll have a really clear direction of how they want to play and grow their game throughout the World Cup and leave all of the external pressures out of the equation and focus on what they need to do as a team.”
The All Blacks open their 2023 international campaign against Argentina in Mendoza next weekend, before returning home to face rivals South Africa in Auckland.
Two matches against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies will follow before the All Blacks head to Europe for another titanic tussle with reigning Rugby World Cup champions South Africa.
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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