Carter nixes Auckland Blues, stays with Crusaders

Auckland, New Zealand (4E Sports) – Star five-eighths Daniel Carter has decided to stay with the Canterbury Crusaders, rather than accept a tempting offer to lead the Auckland Blues’ backline next season.

Despite this, the Blues are determined to get Carter’s services for the 2014 season.

With new coach John Kirwan at the helm together with assistants Mick Byrne, Grant Doorey and Henry, the Blues have launched a massive search for talent, enticing Adam Thomson and Ben Franks to join the team but to no avail.

Then they turned to Carter, the top scorer in Super Rugby history, with 1301 points.

The Blues pitched to Carter that by guiding the Auckland backs, composed of Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu, the move would be a fresh start for his career.

Auckland also used former All Black coach-turned-Blues assistant Graham Henry to lure Carter to accept the offer.

At first, Carter was tempted as the move would remove him from long commutes to Christchurch.

But Carter later relented, thinking that Canterbury and his family who live in the area would not forgive him if he makes the move to the Blues.

Carter also decided not to leave the team after All Black captain Richie McCaw announced that he will take a sabbatical next year.

The spurned Blues later signed new recruits Baden Kerr, Marty McKenzie, Brendon O’Connor, Waisake Naholo, Kerr, Bryn Hall and Kane Barrett and extended the deals for Charles Piutau, Francis Saili and Steven Luatua.

---

---