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Blues won't rush Dan Carter into Super Rugby action, says coach

June 4, 2020

The ex-All Black today trained with the Blues for the first time.

Despite the excitement over the arrival of ex-All Black Dan Carter at the Blues, coach Leon MacDonald won't rush rugby's all-time leading point scorer before he's ready.

Carter, 38, was today revealed as a Blues injury replacement, answering an SOS from MacDonald after Stephen Perofeta was ruled out of Super Rugby Aotearoa with a foot injury.

However, MacDonald made it clear that Carter will be given time to properly prepare for the rigours of playing in New Zealand again, having not played Super Rugby since 2015, and needing time to get back up to speed with contact training.

"We're three weeks into building our progression, he's day one," MacDonald said of Carter, who only pulled on a Blues kit earlier today.

"We've got to take our time to make sure we look after Dan. We need to progress him safely.

"He's got a lot of work to get through before we start considering [Carter] for selection.

"Don't expect to see DC on the rugby fields in the early weeks by any stretch.

"We'll take our time, and when he is ready to go it'll be on a needs basis. He's signed on [as] a utility, give us that guy in the options."

MacDonald also said that it's possible Carter will play elsewhere than his preferred position of first-five, with both midfield and fullback also options to make use of the 112-Test match veteran.

"He's signed as a utility, his first job is to get himself fit and add value in the meeting rooms, with the kickers, with the game drivers, with our leaders and whatever ways he feels he can contribute."

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