Dan Carter of Kolebco Steelers gives instruction to his team mates. Photo /Getty
He's been playing professional rugby since 2002 but Dan Carter admitted he still had nerves on the team bus as he began his season with Japanese side Kobelco Steelers in the weekend.
Carter, 37, returned from neck surgery to play his first match in a year as the Steel opened
the Top League season with a 50-16 over the Canon Eagles.
The match also marked the first for All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick during his Japanese sabbatical, and he managed to cross over for a try.
Carter, who was MVP in his last season for the Steel, shared a video on social media after the win admitting he had nerves before the encounter.
"First competitive game in over 12 months," he said.
