All Blacks icon Dan Carter, widely considered one of the greatest fly-halves in rugby history, has revealed his top five players of all time in a candid interview with Mail Online.
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From bone-crunching tackles to moments of pure brilliance, Carter opened up about the legends who left a lasting mark on his career.
Jonah Lomu – "A superstar"
"He bowled me over about 5m when I tried to tackle him in one of my first games. A superstar. Gutted I never played with him,” said Dan Carter.
It's no surprise Carter starts with the late, great Jonah Lomu. The towering winger was a global superstar and changed the perception of what a rugby player could be. Known for his combination of speed, size, and power, Lomu scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand and became a household name during the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Bio: Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) – 63 caps, 37 tries, World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee. First true global superstar of the game.
Schalk Burger – "I felt like I had a target on me"
"An absolute beast. I felt like I had a target on me every time I played the Springboks,” said Dan Carter.
One of South Africa's fiercest competitors, Schalk Burger was a nightmare for any opposition fly-half—and Carter knew it better than most. Known for his tireless work rate, fearless tackling, and wild blond mane, Burger earned over 80 caps and was instrumental in the Springboks’ 2007 World Cup triumph.
Bio: Schalk Burger (South Africa) – 86 caps, World Cup winner (2007), 2004 World Player of the Year.
Thierry Dusautoir – "Blinding games in big moments"
"He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."
French captain Thierry Dusautoir tormented the All Blacks more than once. Carter vividly recalls Dusautoir's superhuman performance in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, where the flanker made 38 tackles in one match. His leadership and commitment made him one of the most respected players in world rugby.
Bio: Thierry Dusautoir (France) – 80 caps, 2011 IRB Player of the Year, captain in two World Cup finals.
Jonny Wilkinson – "A bit of a fanboy moment"
"Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me."
Carter and Wilkinson are often mentioned in the same breath, but for the Kiwi great, the admiration was clear. Wilkinson's relentless dedication, trademark drop goals, and 2003 World Cup-winning kick etched him into rugby folklore. The Englishman was more than just a boot—he was a generational talent.
Bio: Jonny Wilkinson (England) – 91 caps, 1,246 international points, World Cup winner (2003).
Richie McCaw – "A real leader"
"I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!" said Dan Carter.
No list from Dan Carter would be complete without Richie McCaw. The two shared the pitch for the All Blacks during their most dominant era, including back-to-back World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. Carter calls him a “real leader”—and few would argue. McCaw was the ultimate captain and competitor.
Bio: Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – 148 caps, 110 wins, two-time World Cup-winning captain (2011, 2015).
5 Big-Name Stars Set to Miss Out on the Lions Squad – Including Finn Russell!
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement just around the corner, the rumour mill is already in overdrive. Andy Farrell's selection promises to be one of the boldest in recent history—and not everyone is safe.
While some players have all but booked their tickets to Australia, others are sweating bullets. Whether it's poor form, fierce competition, or a coach with long memories, a few major names could be on the chopping block.
Here are five shock omissions we think are on the cards—and why their Lions dreams might be dead before the squad is even named…
1. Russell’s Rollercoaster Could Crash Early
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Moments of magic? Always. But consistency? Not so much. Russell's 2025 Six Nations was a mixed bag at best. A missed conversion against England and a disastrous showing versus France have left serious questions about his big-game temperament.
Add in the appointment of Johnny Sexton as Lions assistant coach, and things start looking bleak. In his autobiography, Sexton slammed Russell's 2021 selection as a media-driven hype job—and he hasn't softened since.
"If you want someone reliable in the trenches, you go with Owen Farrell," Sexton recently told The Times, taking a not-so-subtle dig at Russell's "flashy" style. He even spared Marcus Smith, calling him a "generational talent." Finn? Not so lucky.
2. Ringrose Running Out of Time
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Not long ago, Ringrose looked like a nailed-on Lion. But a rocky Six Nations campaign could have sunk his chances. He was solid in Ireland's first couple of games, then saw red against Wales and missed the crunch clash with France. His return against Italy? Ropey.
He's still a classy operator on his day, but with Farrell spoiled for choice in the midfield, Ringrose may find himself edged out by younger, more in-form options.
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