DAN CARTER LOOKS set for a playing stint with a top European side but Irish out-halves can rest easy.
The New Zealander has, according to reports, been contacted by Mourad Boudjellal, president of Top 14 side Toulon, about playing some northern hemisphere rugby in 2013.
The Rugby Paper reported, “Boudjellal has been in contact with Dan’s representatives so it will probably come down to a bidding war between therm and [Racing] Metro.
“Metro really want to bring him over and what they have in their favour is that Carter is set to have a young family and Paris would be very attractive in that regard.”
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Racing have already signed up Welsh stars Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate for next season.
Toulon have Australian back Matt Giteau on their books but the stumbling block may be the presence of English out-half Jonny Wilkinson on their books.
Sabbatical
Carter is signed up with the New Zealand Rugby Union until after the 2015 World Cup but his contract includes the option of a six-month sabbatical from his homeland.
All Black captain Richie McCaw invoked his option at the beginning of this month and will not return for Crusaders and AB duty until May 2013.
Carter signed for Perpignan in August 2008 but only played four games with the Catalan club after suffering an Achilles injury.
The out-half, the world’s leading points scorer in test rugby, enjoyed a holiday around mainland Europe following New Zealand’s tour to play matches against Scotland, Wales and England.
Carter, who is married to New Zealand hockey player Honor Carter, showed off his French vocabulary during his recuperation from that Achilles injury in 2009:
Dan Carter set for another European vacation
DAN CARTER LOOKS set for a playing stint with a top European side but Irish out-halves can rest easy.
The New Zealander has, according to reports, been contacted by Mourad Boudjellal, president of Top 14 side Toulon, about playing some northern hemisphere rugby in 2013.
The Rugby Paper reported, “Boudjellal has been in contact with Dan’s representatives so it will probably come down to a bidding war between therm and [Racing] Metro.
“Metro really want to bring him over and what they have in their favour is that Carter is set to have a young family and Paris would be very attractive in that regard.”
Racing have already signed up Welsh stars Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate for next season.
Toulon have Australian back Matt Giteau on their books but the stumbling block may be the presence of English out-half Jonny Wilkinson on their books.
Sabbatical
Carter is signed up with the New Zealand Rugby Union until after the 2015 World Cup but his contract includes the option of a six-month sabbatical from his homeland.
All Black captain Richie McCaw invoked his option at the beginning of this month and will not return for Crusaders and AB duty until May 2013.
The out-half, the world’s leading points scorer in test rugby, enjoyed a holiday around mainland Europe following New Zealand’s tour to play matches against Scotland, Wales and England.
Carter, who is married to New Zealand hockey player Honor Carter, showed off his French vocabulary during his recuperation from that Achilles injury in 2009:
YouTube credit: les flammes de l’USAP
The 30-year-old toured around Germany with some of his international teammates before flying back to New Zealand in mid December.
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Achilles all black clark griswald Dan Carter european vacation french fancy honor carter Jonny Wilkinson New Zealand Northern Hemisphere outhalf passport stamps Perpignan Racing Metro Richie McCaw Top 14 Rugby top14 Toulon