"Someone I really looked up" - Dan Carter picks his dream backline

Friday, 04 June 2021 at 10:05

byRugby Rucker

Rugby legend Dan Carter has picked a dream backline - and we have to say it's sensational.

The All Blacks legend is widely regarded as the best No 10 of all time after winning a Lions series, two World Cups and becoming the highest points-scorer in Test rugby.

Here, Dan Carter picks a dream backline...

DAN CARTER: DREAM BACKLINE

BACK-THREE:

15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Carter said: "Lomu 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.

CENTRES:

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)

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: “Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary.”

HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

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.

"He was 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."

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