Dan Carter has barely arrived in Perpignan and already he only has to turn up to training to have his temporary French home salivating about the "best player in the world".
Local newspaper l'Independant has twice led its online edition with stories about the All Black in thepast 10 days and regional paper Midi Libre has dubbed him both a "phenomenon" and a "wonder" in its gushing reports.
Carter's formal welcome in Perpignan this week was given prominent coverage in l'Independant, which quoted Mayor Jean-Paul Alduy saying: "Everything is possible with you here, especially victory. The entire population of Perpignan and Catalonia is waiting for you and will help you feel at home."
Carter's non-appearance at Leicester last weekend generated a heated debate among readers, though most were supportive of the decision and the only serious dissent appeared to come from supporters of other clubs outside this southeast corner of France. The paper itself gave a glowing appraisal of the way Carter handled himself as he signed autographs after a training session attended by about 200 fans on Monday.
Midi Libre also reported at the start of the week that a small crowd turned up at two in the morning on Sunday to welcome him to Perpignan airport.
Again, Carter's behaviour was given a positive appraisal. He was, apparently, all smiles as he posed for photos despite the time of day and being naturally "shy".
The paper went on to praise him some more, calling him nothing less than a "media-sensation All Black wonder".
Carter will make his debut in front of a capacity crowd of 14,600 at the Stade Aime Giral tomorrow against Leicester Tigers when his reception is likely to be as warm as his initial press coverage. But there are detractors, who suggest his six-month sabbatical is all about Carter. "We should stop kidding ourselves, he's coming for the sun and the 70,000 pounds (NZ$171,000) a month," wrote one fan.
