Publishers of a new book about All Black Dan Carter will be watching this weekend's Rugby World Cup decider anxiously - having put off printing to include the result in the final chapter.
The biography, Dan Carter: My Story, will hit book shelves around the country on November 14.
Thatgives those behind the scenes just days to complete the first-five's memoir - a story many New Zealanders will be hoping ends with a World Cup win.
Herald columnist Duncan Greive worked with Carter to write the book. Auckland-based Upstart Press will publish it.
Greive would not comment about the book's contents, but a spokesman at Upstart Press said they were gearing up for an anxious time watching the All Blacks take on the Wallabies this weekend.
"It's pretty crazy. We'll all be in here on Sunday. The whole staff will be in helping, trying to get it out on time."
Asked if they were hoping for a tight game - which would add more drama to the book's last chapter - the spokesman laughed nervously.
"From a publisher's point of view, that would probably be the idea. But to be honest, I don't think I want it to be that close. It's gradually killing me, this."
Carter is an All Blacks great, having played more than 100 tests and as the world record holder for the most points scored in international rugby.
The bio will cover the 33-year-old's life and upbringing in Canterbury, his passion for the game and also what he is like as a father, husband and son.
His thoughts about this weekend's final and the eventual result will be sought soon after the match and added to the text as well.
The book would have been printed in Asia - where it is relatively cheaper - but with the publishers deciding to hold off until the RWC's final whistle, Wellington firm Printlink has been tasked to produce the work in record time.
Printlink general manager Peter Ward said the company felt privileged to be a part of the process. "While I can't divulge numbers, I can say from my experience in the industry that this book represents one of the biggest first print runs ever undertaken in this country."
It is understood the first print run will be up to 50,000 copies - a staggering feat in itself.
