DAN CARTER MADE his comeback from a six-month sabbatical by playing 40 minutes for local club side Southbridge.
The 32-year-old started the Canterbury Combined Country first division playoff against Glenmark, setting up two tries before being subbed off at half time. Carter recently finished his extended break from playing, which the New Zealand Rugby Union granted with a view to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
While Carter’s All Black team mates wrapped up a series victory against England in Dunedin, the playmaker wore blue and white in Southbridge, a rural town close to Christchurch.
The New Zealand Herald reports that Carter set up one try with a cross-field kick, another with a miss pass, and generally had a “successful return” even if he understandably looked short of match fitness.
Carter slotted two penalties and two conversions to round out his comeback performance
Southbridge went on to record a a 51-10 victory over North Canterbury rivals Glenmark, and it is believed the out-half is now planning another outing for the club next weekend as his efforts to regain his All Blacks’ spot pick up pace.
