Rugby: Auckland Union admits Carter was a 'long shot'

Dan Carter was reportedly on the verge of signing a huge contract with the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

Daniel Carter might be at home in Auckland but his heart remains in Canterbury - a fact acknowledged by the rugby boss who tried to convince the All Black pivot to switch allegiance.

Auckland Rugby Union chief executive Andy Dalton was philosophical today after Carter rebuffed a financially superior offer to leave Canterbury for their bitter sporting rival.

Carter donning an Auckland and Blues strip would have been considered an act of treachery in Christchurch - a realisation that influenced his decision to stay put.

Auckland players routinely move south. Canterbury and the Crusaders success has been based around the successful assimilation of imports Caleb Ralph, Ron Cribb, Norm Maxwell, Norm Berryman and Mose Tuiali'i. Temporary transfer Ali Williams was welcomed last year.

However, few travel in the opposite direction, particularly at the peak of their powers.

"It was always a long shot," admitted ARU chief executive Andy Dalton.

"We knew we would have to put a bid that could get him over the emotional aspect.

"There was always going to be a very strong ties to Christchurch to Canterbury and the Crusaders and in the end his loyalty to that organisation was the deciding factor for him.

"We commend him for that and move on."

Speculation had been rife about the 27-year-old's playing future once he was off contract with Canterbury at the end of last year.

Carter returned from his French sabbatical with Perpignan last week and was initially noncommital about where he would play provincial and Super 14 rugby once he recovers from a serious Achilles injury.

The 59-test veteran lives in Auckland with partner Honor Dillon but admitted last Friday it would be difficult to turn his back on the rugby environment that nurtured and developed his talent.

The ARU felt they were close to signing Carter after tabling a deal in the region of $400,000 -- significantly more than their Canterbury counterparts could stump up.

But yesterday Carter, sporting a Canterbury jersey, re-signed with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union through to the end of 2011.

"The main reason I have stayed with Canterbury is because I am a born-and-bred Cantabrian," Carter said.

He admitted the prospect of representing Canterbury's arch-rivals influenced his decision.

"I know it's a professional sport and that sort of thing can happen with certain players, but for me that would have been very difficult," he told The Press newspaper.

Carter's decision to remain loyal leaves the Blues with Daniel Bowden, who has returned from Otago, and Luke McAlister, back from England, as their first five-eighth options.

It also means Carter's understudies Stephen Brett and Colin Slade may consider their future is elsewhere.

Carter is four months into a six-month rehabilitation and hoped to make his comeback in the domestic provincial championship in August, a prelude to making the All Blacks end of year tour to Japan and Europe.

- NZPA