Rugby: Carter opts out of Blues deal

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

The Auckland-based Blues rugby franchise has missed out on snaring the services of All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter.

The Canterbury Rugby Union announced late last night that Carter had signed a new contract with the province until the end of 2011. No contract figure was revealed.

Early this week, Carter was reportedly on the verge of signing a contract with the Blues in a deal worth $400,000.

His partner, New Zealand hockey player Honor Dillon, lives in Auckland and Carter told the Herald on Sunday that he was "kind of juggling" where he lived.

Carter, who held a media conference last Friday to announce his arrival back from his ill-fated "sabbatical" to France (he played just five games before rupturing his Achilles tendon), had fended off questions about his rugby future.

Canterbury chief executive Hamish Riach said the province was "absolutely delighted to be able to re-sign Dan until after the next Rugby World Cup".

"While there has been intense media speculation about Dan's future provincial union, our discussions have been positive and constructive throughout and have lead to this agreement.

"Dan is obviously a world-class player and it will be fantastic to have him back. It is quite simply tremendously good news for all who care about Canterbury and Crusaders rugby."

Carter said Christchurch had always been home for him, "so it's great to have re-signed with Canterbury rugby through to 2011".

"I'm looking forward to playing in a red and black jersey again and being part of the province that has given my rugby so much."