“I am preparing for a small return to the field.”

Will we see Dan Carter in the field again? At 39, and a year and a half after his last appearance – February 23, 2020 in the J-League with Kobelco Steelers – a comeback would be unlikely. Already last year, he joined the ranks of the Auckland Blues. Without playing any game. before announcing his retirement from the sport. But a message posted to Instagram (where he has more than a million followers) on Wednesday put the whole of New Zealand in turmoil. “Kia Ora Wanao. I just finished my kicking session. I am training to come back a bit on the rugby court actually. In what capacity exactly, I can’t say much at the moment.”

Speculation started immediately. Will a father of four wear the strings again? And if so, at what level? And in which country? After investigation, New Zealand media are, cautiously, far from confirming that the double world champion will once again wear a 10th-placed flush shirt. Departure from the major league in the United States. Self-employed for his county, Canterbury, who competed in the National Championship (CNP) which he left in 2014. Or simply return to his small training club, Southbridge.

Involved in the 12-sided rugby union project?

However, the fourth track seems to be holding the rope. According to Staff, Dan Carter, 112 caps in the Silver Fern jersey, will be investing in the new 12-player rugby draft, which is worn by former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who is very close to the star. Ten days ago, a private company launched the idea of ​​the 12th Rugby World Cup, which will take place in August and September 2022 in England, with 192 of the world’s best players (divided into eight 24-player franchises). The project is supported by Steve Hansen, as well as former Springboks coach Jake White and the former heads of the England (Ian Ritchie), New Zealand (Steve Tew) and Welsh (Gareth Davies) FAs.

Former Wallabies star Matt Giteau, former Springbok Schalk Burger and former England international Ugo Monye have already joined the project as ambassadors. And future actors? So it is likely that Dan Carter will join this project. This may sound a bit ambitious, even if Ian Ritchie asserts that he is on top of a €290 million nest egg that has been injected by enthusiastic investors. “A natural progression for rugby,” the former president of the union sold. We think it’s designed for our rapidly changing and evolving world, and fans will love it. By bringing together the most exciting players under the leadership of some of rugby’s brightest minds, we strive to push rugby forward.”

What will be the nature of the “small return to the field” announced by Dan Carter? The answer will not be long.