Tug-of-war for Carter's signature
June 15 2009
Will Dan Carter play his rugby in Auckland or Canterbury? The race to secure the All Black fly-half's services is hotting up.
An Auckland newspaper reported on Sunday that Carter was on the brink on moving to the Blues for an offer near NZ$ 400,000 a year but Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach has stressed that they are still negotiating with the former Perpignan pivot and that reports about his move to Auckland are premature.
Carter, who returned to New Zealand last week, is only contracted with the New Zealand Rugby Union until 2011 but has not signed for any provincial team.
"Nothing has altered from the last time we spoke [last week]," Riach told the NZPA.
"We are continuing to have discussions with him and things continue to progress positively."
Money aside, Carter is reportedly keen to stay in Auckland, where he has a house with his girlfriend Honor Dillon and business interests in the area.
Riach said he also spoke to Carter's agent but he was unwilling to comment on the deal Carter had been offered by Auckland, which is effectively four times as much as another All Blacks could expect at provincial level.
"We discussed a whole lot of things about where Dan will play his rugby next year," he said.
"People just have to be patient. We know that rumours about such high-profile players are inevitable. This process is not concluded.
"Discussions continue to be positive and constructive."
Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan is also said to be on the Blues wish list while Luke McAlister is already on their books.