Carter coy over future plans
Daniel Carter was non-committal about his rugby future when he returned to Crusaders training on Monday.
The star fly-half has been on the sidelines since badly spraining his ankle in a Super 14 match against the Hurricanes in March but could return against the Queensland Reds at the weekend.
Carter’s future has been the subject of speculation following the revelation that French clubs Toulon and Toulouse are chasing the world-class pivot, whose New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) contract runs out at the end of this year.
But Carter said on Sunday he was still weighing up whether to re-sign with the NZRU or join the growing exodus of New Zealand players overseas.
“I am still in the process of exploring all the options,” he said.
“Not too much has changed. It is just an on-going process and these things take time.
“At the end of the day I will be doing what is best for myself. When I make that decision I will let everyone know.”
The NZRU has offered Carter the opportunity to take a “sabbatical” which would allow him to play abroad at the conclusion of this year’s All Blacks tour and return to New Zealand in time for next year’s international season, which kicks off in June 2009.
Typically players must participate in the tournament preceding the international window (Super 14 or Air New Zealand Cup) in order to be eligible for the All Blacks.
