Carter's baby will have 'reasonable genes' (+video)

Dan Carter's All Blacks teammates have been quick to offer advice after his announcement that he and wife Honor Carter are about to be parents for the first time.

Carter said at a press conference in London last night that most of the tips were around preparing for a lack of sleep once the baby arrives in April.

The Carters announced on Twitter yesterday that Honor was 21 weeks pregnant.

"I'm making the most of the next few months - getting as much sleep as I can, that's the advice from all the guys who have had children in this team," Carter said.

The All Blacks and Crusaders playmaker, 30, looked slightly uncomfortable discussing his news to a large media contingent eager for details.

"I'm very excited. It's great news, something we've been keeping pretty private. We're pretty private people but she's well over halfway way now so we thought it was about time to share the news."

Carter said the couple didn't know if they were having a boy or girl.

Asked if he had a sporting career in mind for his child - Honor is a former Black Sticks hockey international - he replied: "There are reasonable genes there so who knows?"

He breathed a sigh of relief and said "thank you" when questions turned to Sunday morning's test against England at Twickenham.

A calf injury ruled him out of last weekend's test against Wales but Carter could be considered for the All Blacks' last match of the tour. The team will be named tomorrow.
Asked if they were expecting a sporty child, Carter replied: "Yeah, well there are some reasonable genes there so..."

They did not know whether it would be a boy or a girl.

And the couple aren't the only ones excited about the news.

Prime Minister John Key tweeted his congratulations following their announcement, saying: "@DanCarter @HonorCarter - Congratulations to you both - fantastic news! #BabyCarter," he said.

Key even went as far as to tell More FM Breakfast hosts this morning that he thinks the Carters should call their baby "John" - even if it's a girl.

- nzherald.co.nz