Dan Carter: watch this space

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10726333
All Black first five-eighth Dan Carter is set to announce his rugby future at a press conference in Christchurch today.

The New Zealand Rugby Union announced the press conference will take place at 12pm NZT (1amBST) where Carter is expected to announce whether he will continue to play rugby in New Zealand after the World Cup.

Where's that fingers crossed emoticon?

Dan Carter signs deal to stay in New Zealand until 2015
• The flyhalf reveals lure of All Black shirt behind decision
• Bath and Racing Métro had both hoped to sign Carter

Depending on what you wanted - thats the answer!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10726397
4 Year deal, with an option to do a European "sabbatical" again - let's hope that works better than the Perpignan one

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10726433

Looks like Quade Cooper may stay downunder too
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5022982/Quade-Cooper-commits-to-Australia

As an Englishman I'm glad. Not because I don't want to see World Class international players play in the Prem but more than that I want to see the worlds top players playing international rugby (as much as I would prefer England to meet an AB team minus Carter - it would maybe keep the score more respectabe ).

Press Conference on Richie McCaw's future is on for 11am NZT tomorrow
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10727779

http://www.allblacks.com/news/16290/Richie-McCaw-confirms-he’s-staying-in-New-Zealand

Kiwi here's a question. The NZRU has done a great job in terms of retaining players post World Cup. Will the next batch of Kiwis struggle to move on. Will it be like England post 2003?

red_stag wrote:Kiwi here's a question. The NZRU has done a great job in terms of retaining players post World Cup. Will the next batch of Kiwis struggle to move on. Will it be like England post 2003?

Interesting question Stag. NZ are losing a lot of players though - possibly more than England lost to retirement in '03. Muliaina, Thorn, Afoa, Tialata, Donald (? - here's hoping), McAllister, etc (I used to have a list of signees/departures, can't find it now).

Keeping McCaw, Carter and Mealamu though does make it tough in those positions for young players to break through. And the pay deals they've negotiated means that the 'pot' is smaller for the rest. With McCaw, I can see him switching to blindside in the next couple of years, especially if Todd and the younger Braid come on. Matt Todd has the advantage of apprenticing off the master, and the Crusaders have been happy to play a left and right flanker game. And I have faith in the Kiwi flanker factory.

Carter and Meleamu are possibly more problematic. DC's so much better than the chasing pack that anyone filling the spot could find themselves under the kind of public pressure to perform that blights modern Welsh flyhalves. And NZ's depth at hooker hasn't been great since Fitzpatrick retired.

But are Tialata, Donald, Payne, Afoa, McAllister really the ones you need to worry about. It is the 1st XV players

True. It'll be interesting to see which way SBW and Nonu go. If both stay in NZ then there's a real logjam in the inside backs (I think Conrad Smith is staying due to his law career too). If both go I could see Carter and Slade/Cruden alternating 10 & 12 for NZ next year.

It is the Paynes I worry about. Youngish prospects deciding to go abroad because they feel their way is blocked. Similarly Evans and McAllister after 2007 - Luke came back a shadow of what he was.

The injury rate this season is another factor. Some players may opt out of the risk and head north to a perceived "easier" option (downunder the number of games played up North isn't appreciated, nor is the pressure at club level to get back after injury). Others will see the chance of grabbing a spot as injury cover and making it there own. Carter has another sabbatical option in his contract, so there is some space there.

Whether someone feels their chances are being blocked by someone else can depend on the coach to some extent. Do they hold on to tried and true players to the bitter end or do they roll on to new players quickly.

Graham Henry has been pretty ruthless (partly by necessity) with some of the positions prop/lock but then persevered with some old hands like rockocoko too long.

If you want an easy rugby retirement head to Japan. Interesting article in Rugby News last month about how in Japan they avoid the hardstuff.

"Carter has another sabbatical option in his contract, so there is some space there"

Is the option the same length as the contract? Will it be a case of hightailing it after Christmas?

Another couple of Crusaders are staying in NZ
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/5058019/Wyatt-Crockett-Corey-Flynn-to-stay-in-NZ

There has been a lot of snide comments in the NZ press about thr contracts Carter and McCaw especially getting a flexible contract of 4 years.As if they were something special.Well here`s the news guys,THEY are special 88% wins with the two on the field,McCaw has an 87.6% wins as a Captain.In the days when money is king it`s nice to see the SHIRT is still valued.McCaw may well not make 2015 but he has a clause if he`s burned out he walks.But for 4 years he`s there rebuilding the teams after the ineivtable exit after 2011RWC.
Carter will help players like Crudon,Slade and other youngsters as McCaw will with Todd,Latimer,The Brothers Braid and the youngest of the Whitelock clan.A gentleman by the name of Strike looked promising for the chiefs.most of the experienced 10`s are overseas bound.SBW may be offered something simiilar but Rugby League will not be part of it.Many people go on about the AB exedous.But what of the Aus and Bok on e too.