Carter talks carefully on rare Wilkinson clash

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HEAD-TO-HEAD: Star rugby five-eighths Dan Carter (New Zealand) and Jonny Wilkinson (England) are set to go head-to-head as rival No 10s for just the second time when the two sides meet at Twickenham.

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All Blacks prop Owen Franks shows off an eye injured at training ahead of the test against England at Twickenham.

All Blacks prepare for England

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Dan Carter chooses his words almost as carefully as he does his options on the rugby field. So when the subject of Jonny Wilkinson came up today, there was a well-rehearsed and crafted response.

But know one thing. Deep down Carter will be hugely excited by his chance, early Sunday morning (NZ time) at Twickenham, to go up against Wilkinson as rival No 10s for just the second time in what will soon be a 65-test career.

Stuff.co.nz will have the latest coverage early Sunday morning of the All Blacks test against England, including live scoring, match report, video, photos and indepth analysis.

Considering what dominant figures these two gifted individuals have been, that's not a lot of head-to-heads. But, of course, injury has blighted the Englishman's career since the fabulous 2003 World Cup triumph, and he's been largely absent (with the exception of the '05 Lions series) when it's been time to tango with the men in black.

But Wilkinson has always hovered over the ascendant career of the Kiwi wonder. He was once what Carter is now. The premier five-eighth in the game. The consummate professional. The poster boy of world rugby. And he hasn't quite gone away.

Also, lurking beneath that choir-boy, underwear-modelling exterior of the 27-year-old Cantab is the cold-blooded heart of an assassin. He will look across at Wilkinson and see someone to measure himself by. Someone to challenge himself against.

Folks, this could be good. Remember 2005 when Wilkinson came to New Zealand with Clive Woodward's ill-fated Lions? Carter took his game to another level as he rightfully recognised the chance to take a mantle he thirsted after.

Now he will see the chance to, in boxing parlance, defend his title against a former champ.

Of course there was nothing but respect as the English media probed the All Black star for his appraisal of their own star five-eighths.

"He's right up there... I've got huge respect for him," Carter said as the scribes scribbled furiously.

"I'm sure both of us are praying our forwards turn up and they deliver, because getting front-foot ball just makes your job that much easier ... he poses a real threat and you always love coming up against guys you admire and respect."

Carter was slightly less emphatic when asked if Wilkinson was back to his best, after a headline act in the losing cause against the Wallabies, then a more error-studded performance in the unimpressive 16-9 victory over Argentina

"He's getting there," said Carter, noting the frustrating last few years as the Englishman has battled a succession of injuries.

Carter feels Wilkinson's move to Toulon (much like his own injury-shortened stint at Perpignan) would have been a tonic for Wilkinson – "new lifestyle, different challenges, new team" – and said he never doubted his rival would return to this stage.

"He's such a dedicated and motivated person, with an extremely big work ethic, and when you live life like that you're going to reach your goals. I'm sure one of them was to get back playing for England."

Of course Carter was only returning Wilkinson's serve from a day earlier out at the England team's country retreat in leafy Surrey when the England No 10 admitted Carter was the man all five-eighths now measure themselves by.

"Is he one of the most skilful players there's ever been?" posed Wilkinson. "Without a doubt. He's smart, he's switched on and he's obviously a deep enough character to take things like injury, or moving to France, in his stride.

"He's one of those guys, when he's on form, which is most of the time, his team is obviously flying and when you get that team flying you know you're in trouble."

As Carter sat comfortably dealing with the English media, he suggested a pivotal sort of performance could well be in the offing.

"I've been pretty happy with my rugby since coming back from injury. But you never want to feel comfortable with where you're at and I'll keep working hard. I was happy with the way I played in Wales but I still feel like I can play better."

He singled out his running game, his vision, and his recognition of open space as three areas of his game he wants to lift. It sounds like another one of those "perfect 10" performances could be in the wind. What a stage it would be to deliver it this weekend.