Dan Carter has hung his boots up for good. Photo / Getty
By Ian Cameron for RugbyPass
The rugby world is entering a new reality, one in which Dan Carter is no longer a professional rugby player.
At 38, Carter's retirement from the game will have surprised nobody, but it brings to an end an era in which the revered New Zealander walked the rugby world as a metaphorical god among men, the sport's greatest of all time at 10.
Carter's mark on the game will live on, but fans will no longer get the see him kick a ball in anger or fling an outrageous pass, at least not in a professional setting.
"I officially retire from professional rugby today. A sport I've played 32 years which has helped shape me into the person I am today. I can't thank everyone who has played a part in my journey enough, particularly you, the fans. Rugby will always be a part of my life. Thank you," wrote Carter.
The rugby world lavished praise on Canterbury's finest.
๐๐๐
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) February 20, 2021
Congrats on an incredible career @DanCarter!! https://t.co/4n6qpOGQjK
Hell of a shift mate, enjoyed the battles back in the old days!! Wouldnโt of achieved what I did without you setting the benchmark. ๐ค๐ป๐ป
— Nick Evans (@nick10evans) February 20, 2021
I remember my very first ABs camp and my first ever roommate was you. I was in total disbelief. Inspired the next generation coming up behind you.Wish you & your family nothing but the best. #DC https://t.co/NNj93aJ42p
— Lima Sopoaga (@LimaSopoaga) February 20, 2021
Dan Carter has retired.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) February 20, 2021
A near faultless player.
The benchmark for the next generation of players, both on and off the field.
One of the best, if not the best, to ever play the sport.
Congrats mate on an amazing career. Was a huge honour to play against u as many times a I did. Was less of an honour to lose that many times as well ๐๐ Congrats again, enjoy retirement, well earned ๐๐ผ๐๐ผ
— Matt Giteau ๐ฆ๐บ (@giteau_rugby) February 20, 2021
Congratulations Dezzy! Was an honour to share the field, both playing against you and playing alongside you. While in Kobe, it was very easy to see why you were one of the greats! Enjoy the next chapter brother x
— Adam Ashley-Cooper (@AdamCoopy) February 20, 2021
Chief rugby writer for The Telegraph, Mick Cleary, ranked Carter at the top of the tree in a li of his greatest first-five eighths of all time, ahead of Barry John, Michael Lynagh, Jonathan Davies and Jonny Wilkinson.
"Dan Carter made it look easy. The anguish of striving for perfection may have been writ large across a Jonny Wilkinson - the inner torment, the whispering demons - but it never seemed that way for the man who surpassed him as the sport's greatest ever points accumulator: 1,598 points in 112 tests, all grace under pressure, all slickness on the field of play."
Cleary went on to say the 2015 Rugby World Cup triumph perfectly illustrated Carter's ability to lift a team to success like no other.
"If the greats in history really can orchestrate life to suit a particular moment, then this was it. Carter penned his swansong to perfection."
Thank you for everything Monsieur @DanCarter ๐๐ป You brought the game of rugby to another level, inspiring kids to play and proving all mothers that it's possible to play rugby and yet look handsome #LEGEND pic.twitter.com/RWK8uEi3Mo
— ๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฃ๐ข๐ก๐ง (@Dupont9A) February 20, 2021
๐คCongratulations on a stellar career @DanCarter and good luck with the next chapter. You'll always be welcome for a braai here in South Africa! pic.twitter.com/L5DBwXJ7FL
— Springboks (@Springboks) February 20, 2021
What an great innings for the bloke sitting next me.. thanks for the memories Brus youโve made in the rugby world. It was a pleasure playing alongside yโa. All the best for the future. ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ @DanCarter #DC pic.twitter.com/Hu00UtBfev
— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) February 20, 2021
Congratulations @DanCarter on an amazing career!
— Peter de Villiers (@CoachPdV) February 20, 2021
One of just a few world-class players. A great servant of the game with confident humbleness & always honored his roots, instilled fear and someone you had to watch for 80mins - composed and smart.
Enjoy retirement #DC10 pic.twitter.com/mkeaTnzLId
Congratulations DC !!
— Kurtley Beale (@kurtley_beale) February 20, 2021
What a career and what a legacy.. youโve done it all ๐๐พ
Santรฉ ๐ฅ @DanCarter
Simply put, the Greatest of All Time.
— Squidge Rugby (@SquidgeRugby) February 20, 2021
I watched him from the stands twice, and both times I was giddy with the sheer privilege Iโd forever be able to say I saw *Dan Carter* play.
Nobody else has ever done that for me. Perhaps nobody ever will. The best thereโs ever been. https://t.co/vZmN41JFBr
A two-times @rugbyworldcup winner and one of the best to have ever played the game ๐
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 20, 2021
Thank you for everything you have given to our sport, @DanCarter https://t.co/ineMMIKD45
All the best in retirement @DanCarter and congratulations on an incredible career ๐ pic.twitter.com/9THQ5IvYO4
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) February 20, 2021
Incredible servant to the game @DanCarter , one of the greatest. Enjoy retirement fella @AllBlacks https://t.co/JKSAtWjnZD
— Rocky Clark MBE (@RockyClark_1) February 20, 2021
One of the best rugby players ever. Broke our hearts many times but we were still marvelling at a truly awesome talent. Produced many great displays but one that stands out was the 2015 RWC final, mesmerising performance. All the best with retirement Dan ๐๐.#DanCarter https://t.co/EBiPkGQ72u
— Michael Cooke (@MikeCooke92) February 20, 2021
What a magnificent career, one of the all-time greats. Congrats Dan and happy retirement! It was a rare pleasure to watch you play rugby. ๐
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 20, 2021
Commentator Nick Mullins summed it up well, posting: "Dan Carter's retired. Shaped the sport like few others. Not sure how you define "the greatest", but he may well have been."
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont wrote: "End of an era. Dan Carter will be remembered as one of the greats, one of the very best. Outstanding on the biggest of stages & a super ambassador for the game. Enjoy your retirement."
This article first appeared on RugbyPass and is republished with permission.