Dan closing in on Wilko
23 Nov 2009
Dan Carter became the All Blacks’ top scorer last weekend and is now three places behind Jonny Wilkinson on the all-time list.
Needing just three points before the match, the All Blacks pivot surpassed Andrew Mehrtens as New Zealand’s top points machine by claiming 14 points in the 19-6 victory over England at Twickenham. Carter now has 980 Test points to his name.
Jonny Wilkinson, Carter’s opposite number last Saturday, is No 1 on the list with 1125 points, but many expect Carter to jump the England flyhalf on the list.
‘It’s a great feeling. I’m very proud and it’s probably something I will look back on at the end of my career [with pride],’ Carter told stuff.co.nz. ‘To take over from a good mate of mine in Mehrts is something I’m pretty happy with. Hopefully, there’s a few more points to be scored in my career.’
Although he scored bulk of the points in the win, Carter didn’t impress throughout the game as he missed two goal attempts and made a few tactical errors with the boot.
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry, however, still acknowledges Carter’s value to the side.
‘I guess we are used to perfection aren’t we, and when he misses a couple of goals it’s not perfection for him, so he will be disappointed in that.’ said Henry. ‘But he’s a big defender, a big man in the side. He can’t expect 10 out of 10 every time, but 9.5 is not too bad.’
All-time top scorers in Tests:
1. Jonny Wilkinson (England/Lions): 1998-Present, 79 matches, 1125 points.
2. Neil Jenkins (Wales/Lions): 1991-2002, 91 matches, 1090 points.
3. Diego Dominguez (Argentina/Italy): 1989-2003, 76 matches, 1010 points.
4. Dan Carter (New Zealand): 2003-Present, 65 matches, 980 points.
5. Andrew Mehrtens (New Zealand): 1995-2004, 70 matches, 967 points.
14 Comments
23 Nov 2009, 07:09 am
A4Y’s wannabee.
23 Nov 2009, 07:15 am
Dan Carter wont be too happy. In Smitty’s book our captain tells how he found Dan chundering in the plants at Sun City and that he had to help him out. Lol!
23 Nov 2009, 09:12 am
1. Where the South Africans on tthe list? Oh, and before you mention Steyn as a possile candidate, let’s wait and see. His kicking lately has been less than impressive.
23 Nov 2009, 09:39 am
I blame apartheid! Lol! Percy should be about 6th on the list
23 Nov 2009, 10:01 am
Hey Lions Soutie….Suzie following Dan Carter around !?
The kiwi’s will lap that up….his chunder too ! He is God there right ?
23 Nov 2009, 11:30 am
#6 EISH!!
23 Nov 2009, 11:55 am
@ddrek:
The ***** of J/burg must be getting a bit long in the tooth by now, surely.
23 Nov 2009, 12:55 pm
DC on a poor-day still made Wilko look like a simulated rugby-cyborg.
some stats:-
DC & Wilko passed and kicked exactly the same no throughout the match but
clean breaks ?
Wilko 1
DC 7.
BH, did you enjoy Jonnys decision-to and execution-of his DG ? I nearly wet myself.
23 Nov 2009, 13:25 pm
If both stay injury free, it will take some 2-3 years for DC to catch JW, I guess.
23 Nov 2009, 13:58 pm
@Nils: Wilko and fitness are not friends.
23 Nov 2009, 14:02 pm
@Nils:
Wilko is also 3yrs older than DC, who is only 27.
23 Nov 2009, 14:26 pm
@WakaNathan: I am aware of it, nevertheless JW will kick some bunch of points, if he stays alive and well for long enough time. He may even reach 1200.
I do not think DC will kick some 220 points in one year, it will take more time.
@rossoneri: Yes, I feel pity for him. Great kicker he was, still not bad.
23 Nov 2009, 15:02 pm
@Lions_Soutie: my brother saw DC at sun city that night and he was wasted! He couldn’t even stand properly, then tried to drive some guys golf but couldn’t even get it in gear. Kiwi’s all love their dop!
24 Nov 2009, 01:13 am
Dan the Man will eventually break that record, I would love know what opposition Wilko played against to get these points, because Carter usually always plays against the Top 3 rugby nations in the world on a yearly basis which I would wonder if Wilko could do the same I guess he could because I do rate him.
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