Carter back to the grind
Comments
0
Dan Carter has put his jet-setting lifestyle to bed and is back on the training pitch as he prepares himself for a return to rugby.
The experienced All Blacks flyhalf has been using his sabbatical this year to mingle with sports and entertainment celebrities around the planet, from Elton John to Rory McIlroy.
However, Carter's passport now lies untouched as he begins to prepare for a return from his rugby hiatus.
"The traveling is all done. It has been great," he told Fairfax NZ News.
"It has been a really good balance spending time with family, a little traveling and a lot of training.
"Now it's just about knuckling down and progressing with my training. I can then focus on returning to playing after those June test matches," he added.
It remains unclear when exactly the 100 cap All Black will return, and who he will return to; both the Crusaders and the All Blacks would certainly be after his services.
Originally the plan was for Carter to take a complete break until after the All Blacks' June Test's against England.
This would mean he could be available for the Crusaders' last three regular season matches – against the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders.
However, Carter may be back on the pitch sooner than that as he has not ruled out having a run for his local club Southbridge, but said nothing was confirmed.
If he was to return earlier than expected there is even a chance that he may run out in the red of the Crusaders against England on June 17.
It is unlikely, but once again, it has not been ruled out with Carter saying it was another subject that needed to be discussed with Todd Blackadder.
The All Black flyhalf was last seen leaving a rugby field with a limp after damaging his Achilles at Twickenham in November last year in his 100th cap.
Soon after he returned to New Zealand to have an operation to remove some bone spurs in his right ankle.
"I have only been running for a month or so but it has been more short distances," he added.
"I started my pre-season in February so I have effectively given myself four months to prepare, which is a lot more than the normal year when you are usually come back at the end of January," he said.
Fairfax NZ
ADVERTISEMENT
