All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter, one of the best players in the world, said he was delighted to be in town at his official presentation on Monday to several thousand fans of new club Perpignan.
The 26-year-old Carter has a six-month contract with the French Top 14 club from Dec. 1.
“To walk out to that reception was very humbling, overwhelming,” Carter said.
PHOTO: AFP
Expectations will be running high with the club not having won the French league title since 1955.
MARADONA
“It’s well overdue. But the coach and the team both know that it’s not one person that’s gonna win something. I am neither Maradona nor a rock star,” Carter said.
“It’s how I fit into the team. But we’ll be doing everything we can so that I can slot into the side, and from there I’ll be playing solely for the team, and if we go on with confidence, everything is possible,” he said.
Carter also explained why he had chosen Perpignan.
“With my short-term contract, only a couple of clubs were interested. Toulon and Perpignan were right up there. I really enjoy the French culture and lifestyle, also there’s hardly any Kiwi playing here at USAP, whereas at Toulon I would probably have just hung out with the Kiwi guys,” he said.
EUROPEAN CUP
“Also there was the fact that Perpignan plays the European Cup, a competition that I watched and admired, and always wanted to be a part of,” Carter said.
“I’ve played in the same competitions for six years now, [Canterbury] Crusaders and All Blacks, so I really wanted to challenge myself and I guess over here you play a very different style of rugby, and personally I want to broaden my rugby capabilities and adapting to different situations, and hopefully I’ll become a better rugby player because of that!” he said.
Carter, 53 All Blacks appearances to his name, said he could still learn at this stage of his career and hopes to push Perpignan up from their current second place in the French Top 14 championship.
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