KEY POINTS:
It is almost au revoir to Monsieur Carter. Au revoir but not farewell. Not if everything goes to plan.
For now Carter is one match away from his six-month sabbatical with the Perpignan club in the South of France, one game away from offering his awkward French and
fluent game to his new comrades.
There are no French dictionaries or phrasebooks in Carter's luggage. No sir, this thoroughly modern bloke has loaded his iPod up with all the lessons, pronunciation and vocab he thinks he'll need for his NZRU-sanctioned sojourn.
The plan is for Carter to play a prominent part in an All Black win against England this weekend, go through some adidas promotional work in Europe before he flies to his new Perpignan headquarters and some pre-Christmas rugby.
As this week closed in and the new phase of his life drew closer, Carter admitted he had begun to think much more about the life and times ahead for him until his projected return to New Zealand in June. He was enthused about the change of pace and lifestyle, even learning a new language.
"I am not going too well but once I get there I am getting lessons which will help," Carter said. "I have deliberately gone to a club where I don't know any of the players really, to get involved in the French culture and lifestyle and learn as much as I can while I'm there. Although its only a short period it is something I want to get amongst."
Bravo or whatever they say in France. The stint should freshen Carter, though he may find it hard to leave Europe, it might increase his appetite to play more abroad. Two years back in New Zealand on contract until the 2011 World Cup may seem a hardship rather than a journey. That is all in the future.
He spoke to a few old mates like Byron Kelleher for advice about the switch, what was needed, how long it would take to feel comfortable and all those lifestyle issues apart from where he should bank his healthy cheques.
"I am starting to think more about the experience as the tour has progressed. As long as it doesn't distract me from what I am here for, and I don't think it has, then I think it is okay. All of my focus has been on the All Blacks and to play well for this team," Carter said.
There have been no phone calls from the Perpignan club jester to suggest Carter lifts his game after what was for him a modest effort against Wales. It was a match in which the game's premier No 10 never quite seemed to find his rhythm, where his punting was of mixed quality, where he missed a few tackles and stuttered on the run or gun choices.
He was not bad, just short of the normal excellence with which Carter has spoiled spectators since his 2003 test debut. He seemed to hesitate a couple of times between styles. This weekend at Twickenham will be different.
Carter was expecting to face off against Danny Cipriani but midweek had to ditch that homework file and replace it with some research on Toby Flood and his England teammates. Much had been made of the Boks getting up from the floor and belting England last week 42-6. Carter was sure this week would be vastly different.
"It would be huge to be part of a Grand Slam," Carter said. "It is a goal we are working towards and we want to double up [after 2005]. But you can't get caught up in the outcome or the hype, you have to work through the process to give yourself the best opportunity."
Carter felt he was fortunate in New Zealand not to have any great intrusion into his private life. He had also learned to balance his rugby, business and social agendas.
"I pride myself on when I am on the pitch or in meetings I give 100 per cent but away from that I am also involved in my business interests," he said.
The five-eighths was refreshed after a six-week break before this tour, and was sure the exciting new challenge at Perpignan would pass very quickly. But a repeat Grand Slam at Twickenham was his next priority.
