Carter tipped to be rugby's first 'NZ$2 million man'

Last updated 11:59, December 15 2014



French club Racing Metro are reportedly winning the race to sign All Blacks star Dan Carter in a deal that is tipped to make him the highest paid player in the game with a £1 million (NZ$2m) contract.

European media were awash with speculation around Carter today as the veteran No 10's future beyond next year's World Cup continues to grab headlines.

All the various sources were tipping glamour Paris outfit Racing Metro to lure Carter back to the French competition after his painful previous experience of an injury-plagued sabbatical in 2009 with Perpignan.

The Times suggested Carter "is close to becoming rugby's first £1 million man" with Racing Metro owner Jacky Lorenzetti prepared to "break the bank" for a move that would finally end Carter's All Blacks career.

Lorenzetti has made no secret of his desire to get Carter, saying back in September: "If the coaches agree, Dan Carter may be an opportunity to strengthen the club next season."
That has now gathered pace and it's been suggested the deal could be confirmed as early as next week.

Racing are in the market for a No 10 with Irish star Jonathan Sexton returning to his homeland to play for Leinster next season where he will replace former Hurricanes and Blues playmaker Jimmy Gopperth.

Racing have signed French first-five Remi Tales from Castres but clearly still cherish Carter's signature.

That comes despite Carter, 32, continuing to struggle with injuries and form for the Crusaders and the All Blacks.

He needs a good season next year to confirm his All Blacks place as younger rivals Aaron Cruden, Colin Slade and Beauden Barrett continue to press their claims for a jersey that a fit Carter has owned, making 102 test appearances and scoring a world record 1455 points.

Carter is primed to head a mass migration of senior All Blacks after the World Cup where they will try to defend the title won at home in 2011.

Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and even captain Richie McCaw are all logical targets as clubs eye leading New Zealand experience.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...-2-million-man

Would have thought the frogs could better spend money like that developing their juniors and coaches. Every time I watch a Top 14 game there is always one or two players I hadn't heard of for a while playing for a club over there.
No wonder the Le Bleus are struggling when they throw that sort of money at overseas players to the detriment of their own.
Can't blame the player's, lucky bastards, play a bit, drink heaps of plonk and hang out at the beach googling friendly type frogess'es and get paid bucketloads of moolah to do it.
Finding it difficult to comprehend why the ARU are stony and that sort of dough is whacked around over there. Admittedly it's private club money but still, something doesn't add up.

As you pointed out Westies - Its private dosh going into the clubs over there, with a healthy dollop from the government. The joys of a socialist economy backed up by wealthy individuals for whom owning a rugby club is no different than a Ferrari. Good on them I say and I wish that the private model could work over here.. Come on Twiggy.. Buy us and convert us into Toulon

Won't work with a salary cap in place.

Big field rental hire

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Originally Posted by jargan83

Won't work with a salary cap in place.

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Agreed - However, if the franchises became private then bugger the cap - I know that a number of prominent Perth business types were approached by JON back in the day and a number like the idea but.. not with a salary cap in place and the ARU dictating to the clubs. The idea is sound but there would have to be a major ownership mentality change by the ARU cronies for this to work and allow market driven salaries.