Retiring Dan Carter selects his five toughest opponents of his career

The 38-year-old won two World Cups during a 12-year spell with the All Blacks and bowed out of the international scene with a man-of-the-match display against Australia in the 2015 World Cup final.

Carter remains the highest points scorer in Test-match rugby union with 1,598, but left Kobelco Steelers last April before he signed for Auckland Blues in June, although he failed to make an appearance for the Super Rugby club.

DID YOU KNOW? In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final against Australia, Dan Carter kicked four penalties, two conversions and a drop goal, and was named the man of the match.

Sourcing several Q&A's from down the years, including one with the Independent, here is his top five opponents from his incredible 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: “Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary.”

DID YOU KNOW? O'Driscoll is the fourth most-capped player in rugby union history, having played 141 test matches: 133 for Ireland (83 as captain), and 8 for the British and Irish Lions

CARTER SAID: "He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby.

DID YOU KNOW? He became the youngest ever All Black when he played his first international in 1994 at the age of 19 years and 45 days.

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