France 'sabbatical' no holiday for Carter

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Dan Carter is set to leave the All Blacks in the form of his life and has the potential to return from his sabbatical with French club Perpignan an even better player.
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That's the message from backs coach Wayne Smith as the All Blacks get set to play their 15^th and final test of the year against England at Twickenham on Sunday morning (NZ time).

From there Carter will cross the English Channel to link with Perpignan where he has been granted a special six month stint, contesting the rugged French club championship and the highly respected Heineken Cup that features the best club teams in Europe.

In Smith's mind Carter has surpassed his glorious form of 2005 this year. That's some praise given the way he cut the British & Irish Lions apart in New Zealand that year and then went on to guide the All Blacks to just their second Grand Slam later in the season.

Now another Grand Slam beckons for the All Blacks on this tour and Smith believes Carter's work in getting them to this situation again, on the back of a successful Tri-Nations campaign, eclipses all that has gone before from the superstar No 10.

"I think he has had a great season. For consistency and for his contribution during the Tri-Nations this year, I think he has played better than ever before ... even when you look back at the sensational Lions series," said Smith.

"He has often been a wee bit disappointed with his performance in the Tri-Nations - no one else has but he has by his high standards. But I thought this year he has been sensational.

"He's improved and that's a big thing to say for someone as good as he is."

Smith said the added responsibilities that were placed on the shoulders of the first five-eighths with the new rules shouldn't be underestimated. Carter had learned, adjusted and executed those better than anyone.

Carter has a remarkable defensive game, his running has returned strongly this year and he has mixed his kicking game - so crucial under the ELVs - to keep opposition teams constantly wary.

He has been able to pin defences back deep in their own territory and also cleverly introduced a chip kick on this tour to keep attacks closer to the powerful All Blacks' midfield and the ranging loose forwards led by his good mate Richie McCaw.

If Carter can stay injury-free in the hurly-burly of the European game, Smith is adamant he can become an even more rounded person and footballer

"I think he just needs to go away and enjoy himself, get another perspective on life. Living over there will be good for him," said Smith of the impending move.

"Playing another sort of game will add to his experience. He's a down to earth kid and he will just add to everything that he has already got."

The man who has worked closely with Carter at test level over the past five years knows the 26-year-old won't rest on his laurels in his new environment. This will not be a French holiday.

"He always puts 100% in whether you are doing a kicking session, strategy work on the computer, whatever it is he gives you 100%," said Smith.

"And that will be the same at Perpignan, he will throw himself into it. It will be great for him and it will be great for them."

Carter will clock up his 59^th test this weekend and heads away facing 11 months of rugby.

Smith believes Carter's controversial absence from the Canterbury team after the Tri-Nations will show its benefits as that time wears on.

"He's had an unofficial window which I think will be like gold to him. We are obviously going to have to look after him when he gets back, but I think with good management he will get through."

- © Fairfax NZ News