ALL BLACK NUMBER 10 Dan Carter has today been confirmed as Racing Metro’s marquee post-World Cup signing in a three-year deal that is reportedly worth up to €1.5 million per annum.
The 102-cap New Zealand international will take up residence in Paris in December 2015, filling the void vacated by Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton next summer when the Dubliner returns to his native Leinster after two years in the Top 14.
“Let’s just say I’m really impressed by Jackie [club owner, Lorenzetti]‘s vision for the club,” Carter said in a video message released today.
Carter also name-checked the Racing coaching team in his praise, saying Laurent Travers and Laurent Labit were “touted” for the French international coaching position after the World Cup.
He added: “Obviously Ronan O’Gara needs no introduction, being the assistant coach there. They’ve got a wealth of talented players – a lot of them I’ve played against for the All Blacks and when I was in France as well.”
The news prompted O’Gara to Tweet this tongue-in-cheek response to the All Black great.
“It’s always tough knowing that you’re no longer going to play for the All Blacks,” adds Carter who will be 33 in March, “but at the same time I’ve had good experience playing in France before [with Perpignan in 2009].
“I really love the vision of the club and the way it’s moving forward. I want to be playing rugby at the highest level and the European Cup and the Top 14 is something I’m really looking forward to.
“Paris, I absolutely love that city, one of my favourite cities in the world. So to live there is something that excites me.”
Watch Carter practice his French pronunciation in this video, introducing him to fans of his new club.
Well i answered 4 questions and got them all wrong, no need for me answer anymore.
Longford has a 100% record in All Ireland final too – they never lost a final..
I like the question about which team has a 100% record in All Ireland Football finals, I knew it but I’m from Limerick. It was the very 1st one as well.
2 stats that are great have associated with your county in their own right but probably not together.
0/12!!
I know you don’t want to appear controversial, but Michelle Smith still has her Olympic gold medals, knocking Pat and his hammer into second place?
4/12 and one was a guess… I didn’t study history for the LC, that’s my excuse!
Genuinly got 0 out of 12 bad instinct this week.
It’s Dr Pat O’Callaghan!
Oldest rugby player methinks is incorrect. Tony O Reilly played for Ireland in the 50′s/ 60′s/70′s
I have a feeling that there were more guys older than 36 !
Tony O’Reilly made his debut aged 18 in 1955 and his final appearance in 1970 aged 34. Younger than Paul O’Connell is now. Irelands oldest player was John Hayes who (god help him) played on until the age of 36.
7 out of 12 happy with that, some interesting questions there.
2 out of 12
how many counties have never had an all ireland final chance
how many counties have never had an opportunity to play in an all ireland final