Dan Carter stars in winning return to rugby after neck surgery
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All Blacks' great Dan Carter made a winning returning to rugby in the Top League on Sunday as he scored 18 points for current Top League champions Kobelco Steelers in his first game for a year.
The 37-year-old former All Black flyhalf had surgery last March to mend a cervical spine problem and spent seven weeks in a brace.
Carter last played in December 2018 when guided to the Steelers to the title and picked up Japan's player of the year award.
Carter played 65 minutes in his side's comprehensive 50-16 victory over former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee's side on Sunday with Carter slotting 5 of his 6 attempts at goal, 4 of which were conversion with Carter converting his own try as well as Brodie Retallick's 5 pointer.
Ofcourse DC scored this weekend 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qzKVkMQQ2R
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) January 12, 2020
Carter said on Twitter: "Survived my first competition game in over a year. Thanks to the amazing supporters that came out, and my amazing teammates who remind me why I love this game so much."
Survived my first compétition game in over a year. Thanks to the amazing supporters that came out, and my amazing teammates who remind me why I love this game so much. A good win today. On to the next one. pic.twitter.com/nrnl3VYpmX
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) January 12, 2020
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