NEW ZEALAND

NZRU moves to keep Carter

Monday 28th April 2008

Thinking it over: Carter will be given time and space to make his decision

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) are believed to have tailored a deal for Dan Carter that will allow him to ply his trade overseas next season, before returning back to New Zealand.

The deal basically offers Carter a sabbatical - the first player to be granted such a luxury - whilst still being tied to the NZRU.

Carter, arguably the world's best fly-half, has been offered several huge offers from European clubs, with the offers from French clubs being the most lucrative. However the NZRU are desperate to keep hold of their prize asset, hence their new offer for Carter.

NZRU professional services manager Neil Sorenson said the union met Carter's representatives over the weekend.

Sorenson wouldn't reveal details of the discussions but various New Zealand media outlets reported the 26-year-old had been offered the chance to travel overseas and return to New Zealand in time for the home Tests in June 2009.

As it stands the NZRU rules state that only players plying their trade in New Zealand are eligible for All Black selection. However the board have the right, given the circumstances, to make an exception to the rule meaning Carter would not be required to represent the Crusaders in next season's Super 14.

The new option of a sabbatical, would only be offered to New Zealand's premier players, so as not to make it a commonplace stipulation in contracts.

"We would say the top half dozen is the number we'd be offering this to," Sorenson said.

"We're not going to treat a top-line world class All Black as we would treat an Air New Zealand Cup player."

Carter has plenty of time to make his decision, with his current NZRU contract expiring at the end of the year.

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said Carter would be given time and space to make a decision.

"We would like to settle it as soon as Dan is ready to make a decision but he must really drive that timetable because we don't want to put any more pressure on him that he's already got," Tew told The Press newspaper.

"We will let his decision-making take its course. It's not just about him, it's about his partner Honor Dillon as well."

Neither Carter nor his agents from the Auckland-based company Global Sports Management are commenting.

"It is something we think might work for Dan," Tew said.

"It's not unusual in other industries, so we are going to put that on the table for some guys we think it might work for. Maybe we have to tailor our offers for the individual."