All Blacks legend Dan Carter nearly made a surprising move to Irish rugby club Instonians in 2002. Instonians, a Belfast-based club with a rich history, has seen notable figures like British and Irish Lions captains Sammy Walker and Robin Thompson. Ahead of their All Ireland League season, memories resurface of a potential game-changing signing that never happened.
As a teenage fly-half from New Zealand, Carter was set to join Instonians, but an injury to Canterbury’s fly-half kept him in New Zealand. Carter later went on to become an All Blacks icon, winning two World Cups and numerous titles.
Former Instonians player Chris McMenamy recalls hearing the story during a 2013 preseason chat, initially doubting its truth. To confirm it, McMenamy tweeted Carter, and to his surprise, Carter quickly responded, confirming that he had indeed been on the verge of signing with Instonians at the age of 19.
Though the deal never materialized, McMenamy reflected on how Carter’s career might have changed had he joined the Belfast club. Instead, Carter’s career flourished, with 112 caps for the All Blacks, multiple international titles, and a successful club career in France and Japan. Carter also confirmed this missed opportunity in his 2015 autobiography.
