Dan Carter at tackle - Naoya Azuma / AP / SIPA

He's back in New Zealand! But we calm down, not with All blacks. Dan Carter, rugby legend and former best player in the world, announced his return to the fold five years after his last game with the Crusaders by signing with the Auckland Blues to compete in Super Rugby Aotearoa, a championship bringing together New Brunswick franchises Zeeland. "For me, this is a chance to mentor young players and serve New Zealand rugby," said the 38-year-old former All Blacks opener.

Back doing what I love after realizing how much I missed rugby over these last few Months. When Leon called me with an opportunity to join the Blues squad as a replacement player it was a tough decision but I'm… https://t.co/NiiGpXgb59

- Dan Carter (@DanCarter) June 4, 2020

Dan Carter, twice winner of the World Cup (2011, 2015) and elected three times best player in the world (2005, 2012 and 2015), had left his Japanese team of Kobelco Steelers in April, while the Japanese Championship had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He had not specified whether or not he intended to pursue his career.

He has not played in New Zealand since his retirement as an international in 2015. Former player of the Canterbury Crusaders, in which he played for 13 years, he holds three Super Rugby titles and still holds the record for the number of points scored in this competition with a total of 1,708.

Number 2 behind Beauden Barrett?

According to Radio New Zealand, Auckland Blues coach Leon MacDonald recently sent a message to his players warning them of Carter's arrival to compensate for Stephen Perofeta's injury. "His goal is to give back to the New Zealand Rugby Federation what he gave him by sharing his experience and knowledge of the game with us," explained the coach in this message.

The Auckland Blues, formerly regarded as a breeding ground for the best New Zealand rugby players, have been ranked dead last in Super Rugby since 2014. They already have All Blacks opener Beauden Barrett in their workforce, which means that Carter could be N. 2 in job rotation.

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