For all its worth, Carter could have come up with myriad excuses - too hot, too wet, too humid, have to take my dog to the vet that day.
The reality is he only needs to ask some of his Canterbury and Crusaders teammates if they agree with his sentiments during a hot-and-cold session after training. The chances are blokes such as Nemani Nadolo and Jone Macilai, in keeping with Fijian etiquette, may prove to be overly respectful in telling veteran bestie Carter what's really on their mind.
Even better, Carter should ask assistant coach John Tabaiwalu Fakavale Matson where he stands on the issue.
The 41-year-old centre, born in the Nausori Highlands, about an hour by road from Suva, not only played for Fiji in the 1999 Rugby World Cup but went on to pull on an All Black jersey in 10 matches after his stints with Canterbury (58 caps) and the Crusaders (25).
Remember Marika Vunibaka?
The Fijian winger played 50 matches for the Crusaders (2000-04) and scored 35 tries, not to mention his service with Canterbury in the NPC.
Wingers Paula Bale and Vilimoni Delasau are other Fijian names that spring to mind when you think Canterbury and franchise.
When Carter waxes lyrical about "playing in front of fans", little does he know how passionate people in the islands are about rugby, let alone the Crusaders or any other franchise.
People will be saving for travel, accommodation and ticket costs for months to make it to Suva from every nook and corner of the country to watch the game.
For someone who not long ago signed a $3 million contract to play for Racing Metro in France post-World Cup this year, Carter shouldn't be a stranger to thinking big.
Surely rugby franchises want to be a global phenomenon in the mould of Manchester United football and NBA basketball someday.
Fiji, one can argue, is a case of preaching to the converted but it is imperative to note many Pacific Islanders are gravitating to other religious denominations in sport, such as European rugby, rugby league and even American football.
Some clubs, such as those from France, have established academies and forged sister-club ties to recruit the exciting talents from the islands.
That is reflected in the increasing number of islanders now playing for nations other than their countries of birth.
The Hurricanes players, especially those with island heritage, face an obligatory dilemma to give something back to the South Pacific nations.
Besides, isn't playing before fans at Nelson, Timaru, West Coast or Buller tantamount to wearing blinkers to appease a cult following?
Winning the Super Rugby crown at a crucial stage of the competition is a compelling argument but is it more significant than the crusade in spreading the gospel?
Pending the board's decision next week, it will pay to reflect on where the money comes from to keep the industry viable.
In many respects, it is a chicken-and-egg debate but not an entirely futile one.
The bottom line is Carter and Co are no different to any other workforce who often have to leave their comfort zones to not only earn a buck but expand their market.
Maybe Carter would like to shed some light on how going to Suva (3h 15m) is any different to travelling to Chicago (non-stop flight time of 16h 54m) or Tokyo (11h 20m) from Auckland.
It's no secret All Black coach Steve Hansen kept him in cotton wool during the US/Britain tour late last year.
It is prudent to assume Carter may be harbouring fears of injuries that could curtail his input at the World Cup in England late this year.
The stadium surface in Suva, especially if it rains in May, will be very kind to his creaking joints.
Frankly, there's no guarantee Carter will get through Super Rugby without pulling a muscle or two.
It's time for him to look at the bigger picture - slip on the rugby ambassador's hat in the twilight of his career before picking up his retirement income with Racing Metro.
