Christchurch (New Zealand) (AFP)
All Black legend Dan Carter, still too fair to participate in New Zealand Super rugby, tested himself physically on Saturday by participating in a local championship match with the club of his childhood in front of a thousand spectators.
The double world champion (2011, 2015) and named best player in the world on three occasions, played the entire match and scored 12 points, thus actively contributing to the victory of Southbridge, his club at heart, against West Melton (54-14), two cities on the outskirts of Christchurch.
"The last three weeks of training have been pretty intense. I'm gradually regaining confidence so a bit of rugby (in competition) would do me good," said Carter before the match.
The opener (38), top scorer of the All Blacks (1,598 points in 112 selections) decided to return to play in New Zealand by signing with the Auckland Blues after his experiences in France (in Perpignan and Racing 92) then in Japan to the Kobelco Steelers.
But Carter did not participate in the first three games won by the Blues in Super rugby Aotearoa, a version of Super Rugby "confined" to New Zealand.
This competition brings together the five local Super Rugby franchises, the annual competition usually bringing together teams from New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina, while the Japanese team of the Sunwolves was to disappear after the 2020 edition.
In their next "New Zealand 100%" Super Rugby match on July 11, the Blues will head to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders. With or without Carter?
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