Carter must wait for French debut
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All Blacks fly half Dan Carter has been ruled out of Perpignan's European Cup game against Leicester on Saturday despite starting a six-month contract for the French side on Monday.
The 26-year-old Carter won his 58th New Zealand cap in the 32-6 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday, a victory which completed a Grand Slam of wins on their tour of the British Isles.
He was then due to travel with several All Black team-mates to Milan where they were to take part in a two-day equipment promotional on Wednesday and Thursday before finally joining up with the Perpignan players in Leicester on Friday.
"Ideally he should have been with us Thursday to take part in our two training session. This way he just doesn't not have enough time," said Perpignan president Paul Goze.
Carter signed to play for Perpignan on September 22, inking a six-month contract with the top French side in what is his first venture into European club rugby.
But he will return to New Zealand at the end of the season and form and fitness permitting, will be available when the All Blacks next play Test matches, at home to France and Italy, in June.
-AFP
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