Dan Carter names his five greatest rugby players of all time
Rugby NewsMonday, 20 April 2026 at 20:19
Dan Carter, the iconic All Blacks fly-half widely regarded as one of rugby’s greatest ever players, has revealed his personal top five of all time in a candid interview with Mail Online.
Looking back on a career defined by brutal encounters and moments of brilliance, Carter named the figures who left the deepest impression on him and played a key role in shaping his path in the sport.
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5. Jonah Lomu – “A superstar”
“He bowled me over about 5m when I tried to tackle him in one of my first games. A superstar. Gutted I never played with him," said Dan Carter.
It’s no surprise Carter starts with the late, great Jonah Lomu. The towering winger was a global superstar and changed the perception of what a rugby player could be. Known for his combination of speed, size, and power, Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand and became a household name during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Bio: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – 63 caps, 37 tries, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee. First true global superstar of the game.
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4. Schalk Burger – “I felt like I had a target on me”
“An absolute beast. I felt like I had a target on me every time I played the Springboks," said Dan Carter.
One of South Africa’s fiercest competitors, Schalk Burger was a nightmare for any opposition fly-half—and Carter knew it better than most. Known for his tireless work rate, fearless tackling, and wild blond mane, Burger earned over 80 caps and was instrumental in the Springboks' 2007 World Cup triumph.
Bio: Schalk Burger (South Africa) – 86 caps, World Cup winner (2007), 2004 World Player of the Year.
3. Thierry Dusautoir – “Blinding games in big moments”
“He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks.”
French captain Thierry Dusautoir tormented the All Blacks more than once. Carter vividly recalls Dusautoir’s superhuman performance in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, where the flanker made 38 tackles in one match. His leadership and commitment made him one of the most respected players in world rugby.
Bio: Thierry Dusautoir (France) – 80 caps, 2011 IRB Player of the Year, captain in two World Cup finals.
2. Jonny Wilkinson – “A bit of a fanboy moment”
“Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me.”
Carter and Wilkinson are often mentioned in the same breath, but for the Kiwi great, the admiration was clear. Wilkinson’s relentless dedication, trademark drop goals, and 2003 World Cup-winning kick etched him into rugby folklore. The Englishman was more than just a boot—he was a generational talent.
Bio: Jonny Wilkinson (England) – 91 caps, 1,246 international points, World Cup winner (2003).
1. Richie McCaw – “A real leader”
“I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!” said Dan Carter.
No list from Dan Carter would be complete without Richie McCaw. The two shared the pitch for the All Blacks during their most dominant era, including back-to-back World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. Carter calls him a "real leader"—and few would argue. McCaw was the ultimate captain and competitor.
Bio: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – 148 caps, 110 wins, two-time World Cup-winning captain (2011, 2015).
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