Carter is first among equals

Daniel Carter can mark down July 2, 2005 as a day that changed his life.

It was the day that the quiet country boy from Leeston in mid-Canterbury announced himself as quite possibly the best No 10 in world rugby, if not the best player around, on the back of a sublime 33-point haul against the British and Irish Lions.

Grant Fox, who wasn't a bad first five-eighths in his time, said he had no doubt Carter would be the "greatest [All Black] we've ever had", while Stuart Barnes, also a pretty handy pivot during his time with England, said his display was "the best performance I have ever seen from a 10".

Because he missed the third test through injury, that exquisite performance in Wellington is most people's enduring memory of his precocious talent. The challenge now, as rugby folk like to say, is for Carter to somehow match or improve on that display and meet the high expectations of an excited public during the Tri Nations. No pressure, then.

The 23-year-old ponders this thought for a moment a day out from travelling to South Africa for next weekend's first Tri Nations game and lets out a little sigh as if he's well aware of his predicament.

"Obviously I was pleased with the way things went in that second test," he said. "It was very rewarding for all of the hard work I'd put in over the years but you can't read into things like the greatest player or best player in your position. I don't get into that sort of talk. I don't think you can gain anything by listening to things like that."

It was probably helpful for Carter that he got away from the public and media circus soon after the Lions series and retreated to the quiet of his parents' home on the Canterbury plains. He calls his friends and family "pretty down to earth" but it doesn't seem like Carter has any trouble keeping things in perspective.

He talks about trying to improve, not being the finished article, not buying into the hype and keeping a lid on the what the All Blacks have achieved considering the Lions failed to live up to expectations. He was also mindful of the fact he has played only six of his 18 tests as a first five-eighths and has yet to come under any real pressure.

That pressure could come against Springbok and Wallaby sides with points to prove against a confident All Black outfit during the Tri Nations - and Stephen Larkham and Andre Pretorious might have a few things to say about the fuss Carter is currently causing.

He's certainly usurped England's Jonny Wilkinson, who looked a shadow of his former self on the recent tour but was still the subject of the extraordinary phenomenon, Jonny mania. If Carter was interested in looking - he wouldn't have had to delve too deeply - he might have got a glimpse of what life could be like for him if he continues down the road he's travelling.

A few more people then usual have approached him in the street since that second test and he's also been the face, or should we say body, that recently launched the new range of Jockey underwear.

"I'm getting more comfortable in the public eye as time goes by," he explained during a rare quiet moment. "I remember when I first started I was pretty unsure about myself and didn't know what to say. To be honest, I don't enjoy too many aspects of it but it is part of our job."

Carter's main job, however, is directing a backline and winning test matches and it's on the field that he looks most comfortable. Having been given a licence to thrill by the three wise men he's playing with the sort of confidence that comes from knowing he has a mortgage on the No 10 jersey for years to come, barring a dramatic loss of form. Going by his current work ethic, that's unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Rugby players always like to say they have things to work on - "Playing in the No 10 jersey, there is a lot of responsibility there in terms of reading the game and taking the right options," he said on his 'weaknesses' - and he has in backs coach Wayne Smith someone who's equally dedicated to striving for improvement.

"I think that's the next challenge, not only for me but also the team as a whole," Carter explained of not taking their foot off the throttle. "It was a great series and there was a lot of hype around it but if we just sit back and think we are the best team in the world, then we will get a hiding. It's all about starting again."

The Tri Nations is likely to offer a better gauge of where this All Black team currently sits in world rugby and Carter will face, particularly in the Springboks, the type of rush defence that means his option taking will be tested to the limit.

In many ways, this year's series is a walk into the unknown for a player who has experienced defeat as an All Black only once. He has never played at first-five against either South Africa or Australia. It's like people have already awarded him a pass with distinction when he hasn't even completed his apprenticeship.

Carter, though, is a young man full of confidence with the world, quite literally, at his feet. Whether people talk about that day in July 2005 when Carter eventually hangs up his boots or another, more special day, is up to him.

Daniel William Carter

Age: 23

Height: 1.79m

Weight: 91kg

Tests: 20 (debut v Wales, 2003)

Carter says the worst job he's ever had is picking yams in the frost.

If he could invite four famous people to dinner, they would be: Hugh Hefner, Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton and Tupac. Crikey!

The player he respects the most: Andrew Mehrtens.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY