There was a possibility that instead of earning 112 caps and winning two World Cups with the All Blacks, Dan Carter could have donned the green jersey of Ireland..
In his 2015 autobiography, Carter revealed that early in his career, he was given the chance to play semi-professionally in Ireland.
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A friend of Carter’s father, working in Ireland at the time, discovered Irish ancestry that could have qualified Carter to play for Ireland.
However, the young player opted to sign with Canterbury, and a year later, joined the Super Rugby side Crusaders
Carter wrote in his book: “I was now a professional rugby player. Super Rugby players earned $65,000 a year as a base salary – a vast sum for a small-town boy like me.
“That came on top of the $10,000 a year base salary I was getting from Canterbury. I signed that deal for three years, which seemed pretty amazing for me at the time.
“I was still surprised that anyone wanted to pay me for playing the sport that I loved. In three years’ time, when I was an All Black and was starting to be pretty well known, that $10,000 contract would look like a bargain.
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I was mate! “@cmcm52irfc: @DanCarter were you on the verge of signing for Instonians from Belfast, Ireland when you were 19?#clubrumour”
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) August 1, 2013
“I also didn’t have anyone advising me yet. Remember that rugby was still a baby when it came to professionalism. Along with the Canterbury contract, I was also offered a deal to play semi-professionally in Ireland.
“A friend of Dad’s was working over there, and had found some Irish blood which allowed me to turn out for them. Luckily the Canterbury deal was a little closer to home, otherwise who knows what colour jersey I’d have ended up wearing?”
DAN CARTER DREAM TEAM:
FRONT-ROW
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
With 117 Test caps for South Africa, “The Beast” was a powerhouse in the front row, renowned for his scrummaging strength and work around the park. His physicality and leadership were key to the Springboks’ success during his career.
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
A dynamic and skillful hooker for the All Blacks, Coles made 84 Test appearances, known for his exceptional ball skills and work ethic. His mobility and ability to link play were essential in New Zealand’s dominant run in the 2010s.
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)
Brown earned 52 caps for the All Blacks, earning a reputation for his dominant scrummaging and physical presence. His work in the set-piece was a cornerstone of New Zealand’s success in the 1990s.
SECOND-ROW
4. Paul O’Connell (Ireland)
A lock who led with both skill and heart, O’Connell captained Ireland to a Six Nations Grand Slam and amassed 108 Test caps. His dominance in the line-out and relentless tackling made him a central figure in Ireland’s golden generation.
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Retallick, one of the best locks of his generation, has been a fixture in the All Blacks with 132 Test caps. His athleticism, line-out prowess, and physicality made him a key player in New Zealand’s 2015 World Cup win.
BACK-ROW
6. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
Burger’s 86 Test caps for South Africa saw him become one of the most competitive and feared flankers in rugby history. Known for his high work rate, physicality, and leadership, he was integral to the Springboks’ 2007 World Cup win.
Carter on Burger: “A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
With 148 caps, McCaw is often regarded as the best openside flanker in rugby history. His leadership, poaching ability, and consistency helped New Zealand lift two Rugby World Cups (2011 and 2015), and he is a legend of the game.
Carter on McCaw: “I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!”
8. Thierry Dusautoir (France)
Dusautoir captained France 56 times and was a talismanic figure in the back-row. His remarkable work ethic and consistency earned him 80 Test caps, and he was pivotal in France’s near-miss in the 2011 World Cup.
Carter on Dusautoir: “He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.”
