Dan Carter finally retiring

[Digby]

I doubt we need to wish him well in the future as he probably has any number of ways he's set for life and he deserves every one of them. An amazing career, and whilst he might just have been pipped by McCaw as the most influential player during the game for the last 20 odd years for my money he's been the best player of the last 20 odd years. I've long held to the view that Tim Horan is the best player I've seen, but when decision making is just about the hardest thing to do and you've been that consistent it's probably the case Carter is the best player of the professional age and perhaps ever.

[J Dory]

Apparently he has baby number 4 on the way, that should keep him somewhat busy.

[morepork]

A true gent. Never a dirty player in any game. I remember him getting clattered by Carlos in a Blues V. Crusaders game after he had taken a kick, and his eyes were fixed on pretty boy whilst executing a perfect landing which slow mo made very clear. Just a great "come on bro" look as he took the cheap shot.

[zer0]

One of the truly great Auckland Blues players.

[morepork]

You are thinking of Benji Marshall.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

One of the truly great Auckland Blues players.

Even not playing he improved the Jafas by 100%

[paddy no 11]

How far ahead of larkham or gregan would he be?

Is parisse in the mix of last 20 years?

[Digby]

How far ahead of larkham or gregan would he be?

Is parisse in the mix of last 20 years?

Larkham might have been better ball in hand when looking to pass/run, but not the rest. Gregan wasn't quite at the same level in a slightly easier role. Parisse in the mix for best Italian player of his time, and by in the mix I mean clearly wins

[J Dory]

Carter did a bunch of good stuff over many many years, but for me, it was the 2015 RWC final that best illustrated the total rugby playing class of the man. He does EVERYTHING really really well. Not the fastest, not the strongest, not the best game management, not the best defender, not the best with ball in hand, not the best kicker from hand, not the best off the tee... and so on. But he's in all those discussions. Best of all time for me by some distance, no one else is even close.

[Mr Mwenda]

Carter did a bunch of good stuff over many many years, but for me, it was the 2015 RWC final that best illustrated the total rugby playing class of the man. He does EVERYTHING really really well. Not the fastest, not the strongest, not the best game management, not the best defender, not the best with ball in hand, not the best kicker from hand, not the best off the tee... and so on. But he's in all those discussions. Best of all time for me by some distance, no one else is even close.

Fair.

[Stom]

Carter did a bunch of good stuff over many many years, but for me, it was the 2015 RWC final that best illustrated the total rugby playing class of the man. He does EVERYTHING really really well. Not the fastest, not the strongest, not the best game management, not the best defender, not the best with ball in hand, not the best kicker from hand, not the best off the tee... and so on. But he's in all those discussions. Best of all time for me by some distance, no one else is even close.

Fair.

Indeed. If you're the 2nd best in the world at everything, you're going to be heads and shoulders above anyone who's just good at one or two things.

[paddy no 11]

He was a pretty incredible kicker off the tee, what are his stats like v Wilkinson

[tigran]

wonderful player, no cheating, commited, gifted, strong, quick thinking...

And handsome too

[J Dory]

Good kisser.

[morepork]

This is going sideways now.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Luckily for him he didnt inherit Nevs teeth...

[tigran]

Who's Nev ?

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Who's Nev ?

https://static2.stuff.co.nz/1339701979/817/7107817.jpg

[Lizard]

You should read his biography and find out just how boring you have to be to be the greatest. (Ditto McCaw’s book although that at least has amusing pictures of Ritchie as a fat kid.)

[morepork]

You should read his biography and find out just how boring you have to be to be the greatest. (Ditto McCaw’s book although that at least has amusing pictures of Ritchie as a fat kid.)

Play footie and marry a hockey player. The End.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

You should read his biography and find out just how boring you have to be to be the greatest. (Ditto McCaw’s book although that at least has amusing pictures of Ritchie as a fat kid.)

I must admit of the autobiographies I own 2 of the more interesting ones are Marc Ellis and Anton Olivers.

[Spiffy]

You should read his biography and find out just how boring you have to be to be the greatest. (Ditto McCaw’s book although that at least has amusing pictures of Ritchie as a fat kid.)

I must admit of the autobiographies I own 2 of the more interesting ones are Marc Ellis and Anton Olivers.

Of all the rugby biogs I've read, Cliff Morgan's was streets ahead of anything else. Amateur era of course. Setting out with a mate from his Welsh village around dawn to play for the Barbarians somewhere in England that same afternoon with several changes of ordinary cross country buses to get them there, and hoping he would get his fare refunded.

[morepork]

Canterbury production line churning out another one in Mo'unga. Different animal to Daniel, but looking mean.