European Cup as tough as Super 14, says Carter

All Black Dan Carter says the standard of the European Cup is just as high as Super 14. Photo / AP

PERPIGNAN - Dan Carter has duly made his dream winning debut for Perpignan but the All Black first five-eighths is now focusing on the daunting prospects that lie ahead for his Catalan club.

Perpignan beat Leicester 26-20 in Pool 3 of the European Cup yesterday and now lie third on nine points, six behind both Leicester and Ospreys.

Only the six group winners are guaranteed a spot in the qualifying round alongside the top two second-placed teams, meaning that Perpignan's January fixtures against Ospreys and Treviso are nothing but must-win bonus-point scenarios.

"The fact we won the game (against Leicester) is really good," said Carter, 28. "But there are still a lot of important games to come. I cannot ease up. I must keep learning and improving."

The 59-time capped All Black added: "To have come and beat a team of the quality of Leicester in my first game in Europe was a great start.

"The game was very similar to what I am used to in Super 14. The standard was just as high though the conditions were much wetter than normal for me so it was pretty slippery out there."

Carter has signed a seven-month sabbatical with Perpignan worth a reported Stg35,000 ($NZ96,872) a match, and he admitted that the pressure had told before yesterday's home game.

"I have only been in the side for a week, so I was very nervous coming into the game," he said.

"I'm pleased to have got the first game out of the way. I did feel the extra pressure but the supporters were fantastic and I'm only pleased that I was playing for Perpignan and not Leicester."

Carter hinted that things could only get better for his new team given the more time the squad will spend training together.

"Overall I was very pleased with the way the game went. It's always tough when you lack of preparation," he said.

"It's been pretty busy week learning all the moves and meeting my teammates. Hopefully things will get easier as I spend more time with my teammates.

"I thought our defence worked well most of the game though we're disappointed that Leicester were able to cut our lines a few times.

"I was very pleased that our combinations worked well after just one week together to prepare. It was satisfying that things worked well, though I was disappointed to miss two kicks. I'm just grateful that they were not crucial to the result of the game."
- AFP