Carter, McCaw seek perfect Christchurch farewell

NZ Herald

17 Jul, 2015 12:59 AM2 mins to read

A young Dan Carter planned to strike it rich. Richie McCaw grew up with a dream to be an All Black. Both men certainly achieved those goals and now they are about to say goodbye to the Canterbury region in which they found so much success. Carter and McCaw will play their final matches in Christchurch when the All Blacks meet Argentina at AMI Stadium tonight, bidding farewell to the province where it all began. Source: Brett Phibbs

Two of Christchurch's favourite sons will play their final matches in the city tonight, looking to complete a perfect test record in the Garden City.

Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have both played eight tests in Christchurch and have yet to suffer defeat in the black jersey.

McCaw played his first Christchurch test at Lancaster Park in 2002, a 12-6 victory over the Wallabies. His last outing at the ground was also against Australia, a 20-10 win. He's played one test at AMI Stadium, the 2012 clash against Ireland.

Carter also has seven test wins at Lancaster Park his first being the victory over France in 2003.

The only test at Lancaster Park that Carter played and McCaw didn't, was the 2004 victory over South Africa.

McCaw also has a perfect record in Auckland (21 wins at Eden Park, 1 at North Harbour Stadium) and Dunedin (5 wins at Carisbrook, two at Forsyth Barr Stadium) and one test victories at Mclean Park and Yarrow Stadium.

Outside of New Zealand he's played seven tests at Murrayfield, winning all of them.
Stadium Australia is the only ground McCaw has lost multiple tests. Apia Park was the 37th ground McCaw had played a test match.

Carter has a 95.3 percent record (43 tests, 41 victories) on New Zealand soil, just two defeats to South Africa in Dunedin 2008 and Hamilton 2009.

McCaw has a 96.6 percent, 59 tests and 57 victories.

Carter and McCaw aren't the only All Blacks departing at the end of the year with four teammates holding equally impressive records on home soil.

Keven Mealamu has actually played more tests at home than McCaw, with tonight's test being his 63rd in this country. He has suffered three defeats, one less than Ma'a Nonu whose four home defeats from 40 tests are the most in the All Blacks squad.

Tony Woodcock will play his 53rd home test, also having lost just three.