Imagine a legendary rugby player, Dan Carter, known for his incredible skills and record-breaking achievements on the field. But here's a twist: his own son wants to teach him a thing or two about kicking like an All Black!
Carter, the all-time leading points scorer in Test rugby with an impressive 1,598 points, is a true icon in the rugby world. His performance in the 2005 British and Irish Lions series, where he scored an astonishing 33 points in a single match, is considered by many as the greatest individual performance ever.
Despite his legendary status, Carter is just 'dad' to his four sons, especially the rugby-obsessed Rocco. In a recent interview, Carter shared a heartwarming story about his son's innocent yet humbling request.
"To my kids, I'm just their father," Carter said with a laugh. "They might listen to their coach more than me!" He recalled how his twelve-year-old son, Rocco, asked for a kicking coach, preferably Richie Mo'unga or Beauden Barrett, to improve his kicking skills.
"My wife couldn't help but laugh," Carter added. "It's a beautiful part of being a parent. But after a while, he realized I actually knew a thing or two about kicking!"
In a wide-ranging interview, Carter opened up about his life post-rugby and the challenges of finding a new purpose. He now dedicates his time to being a full-time dad to his four children, aged four, six, ten, and twelve.
"I love having weekends back," Carter said. "When you're a player, your weekends are all about rugby. It's nice to just chill with the family and be their Uber driver to sports events."
Carter also shared his experiences on the sidelines of junior rugby games, where he does some coaching and refereeing. "Some parents can be quite intense on the sidelines," he joked. "But when I have the whistle, they tend to listen!"
Carter's career ended on a high note, having won numerous titles in Japan and France. However, it was a conversation with his son that made him realize it was time to hang up his boots.
"My son asked if I was going back to Japan to play. When I said no, he was overjoyed," Carter recalled. "It hit me that I was playing for the wrong reasons. My family just wanted me home more."
This heartwarming story reminds us that even the greatest athletes are just dads at home. Read the full interview with Dan Carter in the new issue of Rugby Journal to delve deeper into his journey and the lessons he's learned off the field.
