Rugby: Why Dan Carter could be joining the Blues

Dan Carter is set to reject the Crusaders and join the Blues. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Black first five-eighths Daniel Carter is said to be close to signing for the Blues, after being offered an estimated $400,000 to play for the Auckland side. And All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan has been targeted to join him.

Canterbury rugby officials are said to be upset at the prospect of losing Carter, as they stuck by him through his ill-fated sabbatical in France. He played five games for Perpignan before blowing his achilles tendon, from which he is still recovering.

The Crusaders even planned to put coach Todd Blackadder on a plane to Auckland to plead with the All Black star to stay but Blackadder did not make the trip. It is thought that Canterbury could amass little more than half the record-breaking sum the Blues are offering Carter.

That is effectively four times as much as another top All Black could expect at provincial level.

Carter has not yet signed and it is still possible Canterbury could prevail because of Carter's strong attachment to the region.

But there are also several reasons why Carter might choose shift north:

- He has a house in Auckland plus one in Christchurch.

- Girlfriend Honor Dillon lives in Auckland.

- He has business interests in Auckland.

- He is apparently keen on the "challenge" of the Blues.

Carter is at least two months away from recovering from his injury and has targeted only the Air New Zealand Cup in August for his return to New Zealand rugby.