Super fly-half lands at new club

All Blacks star Dan Carter has arrived in France to complete his move to Perpignan. The number 10 was unveiled in front of 3,500 fans at the Stade Aime-Giral yesterday. The 26-year-old will reportedly pick up a $1.5 million pay packet for his six-month stint in France.

But Perpignan fans expecting Carter to show off his soccer skills and put on concerts are set to be left disappointed. “I am neither Maradona nor a rock star,” he told news agency AFP. “The important thing for me is to see how I adapt. The coach and team know that one man can’t win the trophy. The key is to blend into the team.”

The French club will not get to see their new star in action until September though as he will report for an All Blacks tour of Hong Kong and Britain shortly. But that hasn´t stopped the fans going mad for Dan Carter-themed merchandise with more than 2000 Dan Carter jerseys, teddy bears and baseball caps shifted yesterday alone.

“I am accustomed to the pressure of needing to win after playing international matches with the All Blacks,” said the former Canterbury Crusaders man. “I have my way of managing it. I know what level of performance I want to achieve and will do everything to get there. I will give you everything I’ve got. But I am not a miracle worker. I am not superhuman.”

Carter could make his debut against Leicester in the Heineken Cup on December 6.