Why is Dan Carter considered one of the best rugby union players at the moment?

Question

A lot of people say Dan Carter of the Crusaders and the All Blacks is one of the best rugby union players at the current time. What about his game makes him considered to be one of the best players?

Detailed as possible answers please! Best answer will be given to the most detailed, thanks!

Answer 1

To be called the best, you have to have the "complete package".  That's true for anything, not just Rugby or even sports for that matter.  Dan Carter is the real deal.

He has speed, great defence, his kicking game in general play is fantastic, his goal kicking is phenomenal, he has amazing vision to see all the best options, he has a great passing game and can cut the opposition to pieces with ball in hand.  When you add all that to playing the most demanding position in the game, his young age and him most likely not being near his peak yet, you get labeled as one of the best.

He is truly the complete package.  He doesn't have any glaring weaknesses.  A big part of him going from "a very good player" to "one of the best" was his taking of the "crown" as the best First Five/Fly Half in the world from Johnny Wilkinson.  When the Lions toured NZ, Dan Carter had a couple of phenomenal games and made the entire opposition look bad as he out-classed them repeatedly.

He and Richie McCaw are regarded as maybe the two best in the game right now and both have amazingly difficult jobs, but I'd give the nod to Carter as the best in the world simply because of his position.  You'll win a lot more games with an average flanker than you will with an average fly half.

***edit***

People should read the question before answering.  He didn't say he is the best, or ask who is the best, he asked why he is considered to be ONE OF the best right now.

Answer 2

He's not - James Hook is.

Answer 3

carter is considered to be one of the best players...

at fly half, he can run pass kick tackle.... hes a super player

he always seems to have time... sign of a great fly half

Answer 4

That is subjective, he is a very good player and he might be the best in his position but the best in rugby that's a big call.