Dan Carter will forever be remembered as one of the most complete rugby players to have ever graced the field. For many, he is considered the best in the world.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The All Blacks legend's career spanned 18 years, during which he played 112 Test matches for New Zealand and won two Rugby World Cups. He became the top international points scorer in Test rugby with 1,598 points and the most-capped All Blacks fly-half of all time. Carter retired from international rugby following New Zealand's 2015 World Cup victory.
In 2011, Carter married Honor Carter (née Dillon), a former New Zealand hockey player who competed in 68 Tests between 2004 and 2011.
The couple has four sons: Marco, Fox, Rocco, and Cruz.
Carter has described his wife, a former Black Stick athlete, as a "superwoman, Mum and wife." He expressed his deep appreciation for his family, saying: "My family is everything to me... my happiness and my greatest success."
Having a partner who understood the demands of elite sports was clearly beneficial to their relationship. Carter explained, "The fact that she played hockey for New Zealand and was often travelling, she knew the demands that it took of being an international sportsperson: the sacrifice, the dedication that you have to make to play at the highest level."
He continued, "She took a lot of weight off my shoulders because she knew, especially when we started having children and she actually had to give up work and sport to raise a family, whereas I was still playing, was still an All Black, still playing professionally."
Carter acknowledged the sacrifices Honor made for their family: "She knew there were certain things I needed to be the best rugby player that I could. Things like, I've never actually woken up in the middle of the night to look after our children - she understood the importance of sleep and rest and recovery in order to be able to go to work each day."
Discussing Honor's decision to end her playing career to raise their family, he shared, "She sacrificed a lot but she knew what it took to play sport at the highest level and I'm really grateful that she was so understanding and had that knowledge and was really supportive of me continuing to chase my dreams when effectively she stopped hers to raise a family."
Sir Ian McGeechan ranks the top 10 rugby wingers of all time, Bryan Habana seventh
Renowned British & Irish rugby icon and esteemed rugby commentator, Sir Ian McGeechan, offers his expert insight by curating a list of the top 10 most exceptional wingers in the history of the game.
10. Rory Underwood (England)
Underwood, a legendary figure in English rugby, dominated the sport with his blistering speed and remarkable try-scoring ability. As a winger for the English national team throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Underwood's exploits on the field became the stuff of legend. His impressive career includes multiple Rugby World Cup appearances and a reputation as one of England's most prolific try scorers, cementing his status as an icon of the game.
McGeechan wrote: "Maybe not quite as clever as some of the others but a lethal finisher who was exceptionally quick and very, very strong."
9. Shane Williams (Wales)
Williams, a diminutive yet dynamic force in rugby, captivated fans worldwide with his exceptional skill and agility on the field. As one of Wales' most beloved players, Williams' career saw him redefine the role of the winger, weaving through defenses with unmatched flair and speed. With a plethora of accolades, including a Rugby World Cup appearance and numerous Six Nations triumphs, he remains a symbol of Welsh rugby excellence and a testament to the power of perseverance and talent.
McGeechan wrote: "Defied convention because he was so small, but he was powerful and sharp. Wales have not been the same attacking force since he finished. He could raise their game on his own."
8. Ieuan Evans (Wales)
Former Welsh rugby union player Ieuan Evans is renowned for his electrifying pace and try-scoring prowess. A stalwart of the Welsh national team during the late 1980s and 1990s, Evans' skillful play earned him numerous accolades, including captaincy of Wales. With a career spanning over a decade, he remains one of Wales' most celebrated rugby icons, embodying precision, agility, and leadership on the field.
McGeechan wrote: "Always one of my favourites because of my experiences with him as a British and Irish Lion. Like all the Welsh wingers, he had such a good sidestep but could combine acceleration with that. He was a superb finisher, especially in tight situations."
7. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
A World Cup winner in 2007, he chalked up records quicker than he sprints past opponents, scoring ten tries in his first ten Tests and 15 in his first 20.
McGeechan wrote: "Equal record-holder with Lomu on number of RWC tries. Very powerful and if you get him to within 5m of the line, he probably scores more tries than anyone else."
6. John Kirwan (New Zealand)
Kirwan, a towering figure in rugby history, made an indelible mark with his remarkable speed, power, and grace on the field. Hailing from New Zealand, Kirwan's illustrious career spanned over a decade, during which he dazzled fans with his exceptional try-scoring ability and unparalleled skill as a winger. A key member of the famed All Blacks squad, Kirwan's legacy extends beyond his playing days, with successful coaching stints further solidifying his status as a true icon of the sport.
McGeechan wrote: "Made such an impression at the first Rugby World Cup in 1987. He was one of the first big wingers but he could also score tries from 60m out. He maybe did not have a great sidestep but his running angles were superb."
5. Jason Robinson (England)
Playing as a wing or fullback, the 2003 World Cup-winner won 51 rugby union international caps for England and is the first black man to captain the England team. Throughout his career Robinson was noted for his speed and acceleration, side-step and ability to beat defenders.
McGeechan wrote: "He made such an impact on the game when moving from rugby league. He had dazzling feet that meant he so often beat the first defender and, like most top wingers, you could play off him as well as him being such a devastating finisher."
4. Jeff Wilson (New Zealand)
Wilson, a multifaceted talent hailing from New Zealand, transcended boundaries with his mastery of both rugby union and cricket. As a dynamic winger for the All Blacks, Wilson's electrifying pace and instinctive playmaking earned him widespread acclaim. Beyond rugby, his prowess on the cricket pitch showcased his versatility as a sportsman. With a career marked by numerous accolades, including Rugby World Cup triumphs and cricketing milestones, Wilson remains a revered figure in the annals of sports history.
McGeechan wrote: "Just a brilliant rugby player with vision and skill. I really enjoyed watching him. He played international cricket too and it backs up my belief that so many of the best players play different sports."
3. Gerald Davies (Wales)
Davies, a Welsh rugby legend of the highest order, epitomized grace and skill on the field. Renowned for his breathtaking speed and elusive running, Davies left an indelible mark on the game during the 1960s and 1970s. As a key member of the Welsh national team and the British and Irish Lions, his exploits in both domestic and international rugby solidified his status as one of the sport's true luminaries, celebrated for his artistry and sportsmanship.
McGeechan wrote: "He was so skilful, and could play centre as well, and had a wonderful sidestep. You knew that if you provided him with some space he would beat not just one defender, but two or three."
2. David Campese (Australia)
Campese, also known as
Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player (1982-1996), who was
capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and played 85 Tests at wing and 16 at fullback. He was famous for his "goose-step" — a hitch-kick motion which left opponents stumbling to try to tackle him
McGeechan wrote: He was another game-changer: different but clever. He won games for Australia on his own and often gave his country a confidence about their rugby that they did not always have before."
1. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
The New Zealander remains the joint all-time top try scorer at the Rugby World Cup along with Bryan Habana, crossing the whitewash on 15 different occasions across the 1995 and 1999 tournaments. The easiest selection in any greatest ever XV and an easy selection as number one on a list of the best rugby wingers.
McGeechan wrote: "He simply changed the game and drew non-rugby people to watch the sport. He arrived at a time when professionalism was imminent and his impact, both on the field and off it as a rugby superstar, is still felt now."