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On the rugby field of his youth, former All Black Dan Carter claimed another victory, this time with his local rural Canterbury club, Southbridge.
In his third game for the club this season, great rugby helped the team win the final of the Ellesmere Canterbury senior competition and take home the Coleman Shield, their first.
ALDEN WILLIAMS / Stuff
Southbridge first five eighths and former All Black Dan Carter celebrates with his teammates after winning the Ellesmere First Division Club Final.
The final score against Waihora was 40-32.
As the early spring sunshine provided the perfect conditions for the long-awaited match, the Southbridge supporters had a nervous wait for their victory celebrations.
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Waihora showed the strong form they have shown during the competition and led 24-22 at halftime.
But Southbridge regained the lead early in the second half, with another shot made by Carter, and held it. One last effort and attempt by Waihora turned out to be too little, too late.
Carter was delighted to have added the local crest to his stellar 19-year professional career.
His triumphs on the field span the Rugby World Cup, Super Rugby, NPC and the Rugby Championship. He has also been a three-time international rugby player of the year (2005, 2012 and 2015), holding the record with his former teammate Richie McCaw.
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Southbridge No. 10 Dan Carter starts a conversion during the final of the Ellesmere Division 1 club final on Saturday.
All the Blacks and international club commitments have prevented him from being available for a Coleman Shield final, until this year.
“It is quite special. I’ve come back here and played a few times and there’s a real sense of community … and I love it. “
Carter said that being able to play alongside his cousin William Carter and having family members watch from the bench added another dimension to the victory.
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Neville Carter hands out sandwiches to spectators at the Ellesmere Division 1 Club Final in which his son Dan played.
The opportunity to play for Southbridge arose when his plan to return to Japan was canceled by Covid-19.
When asked if the game was his last, Carter did not commit.
“[I’m] I’m not really sure, I actually love it and the body feels good so obviously there isn’t much around the corner with the Miter 10 [Cup] things, so like the rest of them, I finished this year and will just sit back and spend some quality time with family and enjoy the moment. “
Before the game started, Carter’s father, Neville, could barely keep the smile on his face as he manned the match bar, with the shield on display nearby.
ALDEN WILLIAMS / Stuff
Former All Black Dan Carter takes a break for Southbridge during the second half of the Ellesmere Division 1 Club Finals final.
“It’s incredible, and the fact that I managed to play for this great shield here … and win it four years in a row in the ’80s and now Dan has a chance to have a game today, it’s pretty good.”
The game was restricted to 300 spectators due to Covid-19 level 2 regulations with three 100-fan zones with separate entry and exit points.
