NEW ZEALAND outhalf Dan Carter has not given much thought to the next rugby World Cup but is “getting too old” to try to cap his career with an Olympic gold medal a year later at the Rio Games in 2016, he told Twitter followers yesterday.
Carter, who helped the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup with a 22-0 victory over Australia at Eden Park last weekend, only joined the microblogging website on Tuesday.
By yesterday, the Test rugby world record points scorer had more than 22,000 followers, which prompted him to hold an hour-long QA session.
“Looks like we might have a world first @twitter press conference haha. I’m free 2.30pm-3.30pm today, tag your questions with #DCPC,” Carter wrote on his feed earlier yesterday.
Thousands of tweets flooded in during the session, most asking rugby-related questions, though others used the opportunity to inquire about his favourite food (sushi) and country to visit (Italy).
Carter, however, also stuck to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) party line during the session, telling followers he preferred sandwich spread Marmite to its major competitor and that he liked the strip of any team sponsored by Adidas. The yeast spread is made by food manufacturer Sanitarium, an All Blacks sponsor, while Adidas have a long-term jersey and apparel contract with the NZRU.
Carter also listed New Zealand captain Richie McCaw as his favourite team player because “he always puts his body on the line”, while former England international Jonny Wilkinson was his toughest opponent “when he was in his prime”.
Frontrow forwards were also the messiest players to room with, he enjoyed playing golf but was a “hacker” and “lollies” (sweets) were his favourite thing to eat after a game.
South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer yesterday recalled flanker Francois Louw and named uncapped number eight Duane Vermeulen and outhalf Johan Goosen in his squad for Rugby Championship matches in Australia and New Zealand.
South Africa opened their campaign against debutants Argentina, winning 27-6 in Cape Town before being held to a shock 16-16 draw in Mendoza last weekend.
Tommy O’Donnell has been ruled out of Munster’s Pro12 game away to Edinburgh on Saturday night after sustaining a rib injury.
SOUTH AFRICA squad: Z Kirchner, P Lambie, B Habana, L Mvovo, J de Villiers, F Steyn, J de Jongh, M Steyn, J Goosen, R Pienaar, F Hougaard, J Vermaak, D Vermeulen, W Alberts, M Coetzee, F Louw, J Potgieter, J Kruger, E Etzebeth, F van der Merwe, A Bekker, P Cilliers, T Mtawarira, J du Plessis, D Greyling, A Strauss, T Liebenberg, C Burden
