Cajoling his team mates for further effort in the Super Rugby semi-final against the Sharks in 2008
Photo: seiserphotography.com

by Paul Cook –

Waratahs centre Tom Carter has confirmed he is leaving at the end of the season after 10 years with New South Wales. The 29-year-old was coming to the end of the one year contract extension he signed in 2012 and with limited game time under Michael Cheika this year and no sign of a new offer, he has decided to take a few months’ sabbatical from the game while he ponders his next move. “I’m not retiring, I’m just going to have a break,” Carter told Rugby News. “I will play out the year at [club side] Sydney University and intend to play somewhere else next year.”

He ends his New South Wales career as the 17th most capped player in the state’s history and the third most capped centre behind Nathan Grey and Cyril Towers. Making his state debut in Argentina in 2004, he wore the Cambridge Blue 84 times, scoring 19 tries – 15 of those in Super Rugby – and after being a part of the squad through the success of a Super Rugby Final appearance in 2008 under new Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie, the Chris Hickey years, the nadir of 2012 under Michael Foley and the rebirth this season under Cheika, Carter has seen both good times and bad at Moore Park.

“I’m very sad to be leaving the Waratahs, it’s been a huge part of my life and it’s been an honour to wear the shirt,” he says. “I thought I’d be lucky to play one game let alone over 80 so I’ve had a fantastic time and I feel very honoured to have been a part of this for so long.”

There is a chance he might get one last hurrah this weekend against the Queensland Reds with the battered and bruised Wallaby contingent being assessed for availability after returning from their Lions series disappointment, but if he has already played his last game for his beloved New South Wales, he certainly went out in style with two tries in the courageous defeat against the British & Irish Lions at Allianz Stadium last month. It is a night he will never forget.

Highlight: Diving over for the first of his two tries against the British & Irish Lions last month

“There were a few tears at the end of that game, it just made me realise what this place means to me,” he says. “It’s been nine years of my life and that was a pretty special night, you can look back on something like that for the rest of your life. If that’s the last thing I ever contribute to this place, then it’s not bad!”

Unfairly maligned by some through his career, Carter has often proven to be more appreciated, understood and revered by his team mates and coaches than those in the stands but while he would readily admit to not being the most naturally gifted player to ever grace a rugby field, his work ethic, commitment, passion and pride in the jersey are almost unmatched. Ewen McKenzie proclaimed him as probably the greatest kick-chase exponent in world rugby back in 2008 and it’s fair to say that if New South Wales had bred an entire team with the same determination and will to win as Carter over the last ten years, they may have had more than two Super Rugby runners-up appearances to show for their efforts.

Regarding the future, there have been offers from abroad, with Europe a likely destination when he decides to continue – “Japan doesn’t really grab me and I’d like a shot at the Heineken Cup” – but at the moment, with his wife having just begun a new career in medicine and pre-season training in the Northern Hemisphere already underway, he’s happy to stay put and try and help the Students to another Shute Shield title as they celebrate their 150th year, before grabbing some well earned rest.

“I’ve had ten pre-seasons in a row and I think the body could do with a bit of a break,” he admits. “I’m not doing a Richie McCaw – I don’t think I’ve earned it that much! – but it’ll be good to recharge the batteries and spend a bit of time at home before deciding what’s next. I still feel I’ve got some of my best footy ahead of me and a bit of time away from the game and a chance to freshen up will be good.”

Playing Record:

Provincial Rugby Caps:  84

Provincial Rugby Points:  95 (19t)

Provincial Rugby Debut:  2004 v Salta (Argentina)

Super Rugby Caps:   76

Super Rugby Points:  75 (15t)

Super Rugby Debut:  2008 v Hurricanes