All Blacks: Carter to play this weekend

All Blacks first-five Dan Carter will play for Christchurch club Southbridge on Saturday. Photo / Janna Dixon

All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter will make his return to rugby on Saturday after six months on the sidelines with an Achilles injury.

Carter will turn out for Christchurch club Southbridge against Hornby at Denton Oval after passing a fitness test today.

Carter sustained the injury in February while playing for French club Perpignan and is looking forward to getting back out on the field.

"I played all my age-group rugby for the club but have never turned out in a senior match for them so it will be a new experience," Carter said.

"I'm really happy with where my training is at following my injury. I've done a lot of running in the past few weeks and speed work and contact work this week so I'm confident that I'm ready to go."

Southbridge is currently fourth of seven teams in the Ellesmere Division One competition.

- NZ HERALD STAFF