LIST: Dan Carter ranks his THREE toughest ever opponents

 The greatest back of the professional era, Carter's record speaks for itself. Way out in front as the leading points scorer in international rugby history, with 1,598 points from his 112 caps.

Throw in a further 1,708 points for the Crusaders and the fly-half’s impact on the game cannot be emphasised enough.

 One of his greatest performances came in the second Test against the Lions in 2005, when he outshone Wilkinson in their fly-half battle to lead New Zealand to an emphatic 48-18 triumph in Wellington.

Below, Carter has revealed the five toughest players he came across during his legendary career:

CARTER SAID: "He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."

DID YOU KNOW? He broke the record for most tackles in a match, making 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup final

CARTER SAID: “A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”

DID YOU KNOW? Burger was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning team, has twice been named South African Rugby Player of the Year (in 2004 and 2011), and was named IRB Player of the Year in 2004, among other accolades

CARTER SAID: "You might of heard of him? Former England captain and Toulon player Jonny is probably the closest thing I've seen to the perfect rugby player."

DID YOU KNOW? Wilkinson's brother, Mark, was also a Newcastle player who made 16 appearances in the Premiership for the side between 2002 and 2005, predominantly as a centre