Rugby: Carter sidesteps rumours of a switch to Auckland

Injured All Black Daniel Carter is coy about his plans to return to provincial rugby.

The playmaker returned from his sabbatical with Perpignan on Thursday to continue his recovery from an Achilles tendon injury that allowed him to make just five appearances for the French club.

But mystery surrounds which province he will represent - and he was doing little yesterday to clear up the confusion.

Carter has been off contract with Canterbury since the end of last year and given that he lives in Auckland with long-term partner Honor Dillon, he has been linked with a transfer to Auckland - a move that could see him play for the Blues in next year's Super series.

He would not comment on whether the Auckland Rugby Union had tabled an offer, saying his management would update him today.

However, he said it would be difficult to leave Christchurch considering he had come through the Canterbury system.

"When it comes to rugby, Canterbury and the Crusaders have given me so much," he said. "I'm where I am now because of the opportunities they've given me."

Carter commuted between the two cities during his last Super 14 campaign in 2008.

About two dozen media were on hand at his first press conference since arriving back in Auckland - a big change from the anonymity he experienced in France.

"I was a little bit nervous," he said. "I haven't done one of these for a while."

- additional reporting by NZPA