Sports44 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2014 Dan Carter to play for Racing Metro in blockbuster deal PARIS: All Black great Dan Carter said the sheer quality of the players in France’s Top-14 was a key reason in him joining Racing Metro, as he was unveiled in a video conference in Paris yesterday. But money was undoubtedly a factor too as the blockbuster deal to lure the 32-year-old New Zealand fly-half to France is reported to be worth up to 1.6 million euros (2 million dollars) per season, which would make him the best-paid player in the world. “I am delighted to announce that I have signed a three year contract with French club Racing Metro,” said Carter, who will join the Parisians after next year’s World Cup. “Some of the very best players in the world are in France,” Carter stressed. He went on to heap praise on Racing Metro’s impressive wealth of talent, which includes such as Irishman Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips of Wales and young French pair Brice Dulin and Teddy Thomas, and also the vision of Racing’s super wealthy owner Jacky Lorenzetti, who was just as delighted as the player himself. “Carter will be the best-paid player at Racing but also the least expensive because of the economic benefits,” explained Lorenzetti, a real estate magnate worth more than 500 million euros. The player preferred to focus on other details of the deal. “It is a very exciting time to be living back in France again and also playing French rugby,” said Carter, who ruptured an Achilles ten- don after five games for Perpignan in 2008-2009 in his previous short stint in France. Injuries have made Carter a bit-part player for New Zealand, even if national handler Steve Hansen insists he is his first choice fly-half. But the move to France means he would no longer be eligi- ble for national team duty. “It is always tough knowing that you will no longer be playing for the All Blacks, but going to play in the top 14 is a very exciting competition,” said Carter. “The simple reason I chose Racing Metro is because I will be NEWARK: Craig Anderson #41 of the makes the third period save against the playing rugby at the very highest level and I will be playing in at the Prudential Center on Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey. The Senators shutout the Devils 2-0. —AFP the European championship and the Top 14 is something that I am really looking forward to,” he said.

Fears over fitness blank Canucks 2-0 Fears over his physical fitness were brushed aside as Carter insisted he has what it takes to deliver for Racing Metro. “I am confident that my body will be good for 2015, and I am behind Lehtonen’s 27 saves really excited to be playing in a brand new arena in Paris. “I want to play at the highest level and hopefully win some trophies with the club. My body is good even if it has been a VANCOUVER: Kari Lehtonen made 27 Canucks had a number of chances to Carl Soderberg, who set up the win- frustrating year with a few injuries and niggles,” said Carter, who saves for his second shutout this season score with the man advantage, but ner with a cross-crease pass in front of will stay with the Crusaders until September next year. and the 29th of his career as the Dallas couldn’t find a way to beat Lehtonen. Wild defenseman Marco Scandella, He has played 102 Tests for New Zealand, scoring a world Stars defeated Vancouver 2-0 on Linden Vey had another chance on a scored early for the Bruins along with record 1,457 points, and was named the world player of the year Wednesday night to extend the Canucks’ one-timer with just more than six min- Patrice Bergeron. Jason Pominville tied in 2005 and 2012. He was a member of the All Blacks teams in losing streak to five games. utes to go but hit it at Lehtonen. the game in the third period, and Kyle 2003 and 2007 that failed to make the final and was part of the Colton Sceviour and Antoine Roussel, Lack had to make a couple of big Brodziak also had a for the Wild, but victorious 2011 New Zealand squad but missed the knockout into an empty net, scored for the Stars. saves to keep his team in it as the period Niklas Backstrom was beaten in the net stages with a groin injury, later admitting he did not feel he Eddie Lack stopped 27 shots for wound down, including a breakaway for the second straight night. He deserved his winner’s medal. —AFP Vancouver. Lack started for the first time shot from Curtis McKenzie, which Lack stopped 22 shots. Niklas Svedberg made since Dec. 7 in place of No. 1 goalie Ryan stopped with his pads. 35 saves for the Bruins in just his second Miller, who gave up five goals on 23 shots Vancouver pulled its goalie with 1:35 start in 11 games. He relieved Tuukka in a 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers on left as it piled on the pressure, but Rask, who lost in a shootout on Tuesday Saturday. Roussel scored into the empty net with at Nashville. The Wild dropped to 12-2-2 Lehtonen has four wins this month 26 seconds to go. Unlike Saturday’s against the Bruins. but came in with a 3.10 goals-against game when the Canucks found them- average on the season. Sceviour opened selves down 3-0 after just 6:46, they Senators 2, Devils 0 the scoring at 2:53 of the second period came out stronger Wednesday. Radim Craig Anderson made 34 saves, and when his backhand shot deflected off Vrbata had the first chance, forcing Kyle Turris scored two goals as Ottawa the back of Lack’s glove and into the net. Lehtonen to make a glove save just 36 blanked New Jersey. Anderson earned Jannik Hansen had a great chance for seconds into the game before Hansen his third shutout of the season and 29th Vancouver seconds earlier, stripping hit the side of the net a few moments in his NHL career. He had struggled Jyrki Jokipakka at the Dallas blue line later. recently, going 2-6-2 in his previous 10 before Lehtonen stopped him with a Lack was largely left alone through- starts. New Senators coach Dave glove save. out the first period as the Stars managed Cameron improved to 2-1-1 since he Dallas increased its pressure through- only five shots, but Tyler Seguin hit the replaced the fired Paul MacLean.The out the second, forcing Lack to make 11 crossbar before Jamie Benn had a good Devils, whose losing streak was extend- saves, while Vancouver could only look from the slot on a shot the Canucks’ ed to five games, went 0 for 5 on the muster four shots - including a clear goalie snagged with his glove. power play - stymied by Anderson breakaway by Alexandre Burrows that throughout. Turris gave the Senators a 1- WELLINGTON: A file photo taken on July 30, 2011, shows Lehtonen denied. Boston 3, Minnesota 2 (OT) 0 lead with a power-play goal 2:47 in on Dan Carter of New Zealand kicking a conversion during The Canucks came out stronger in the Loui Eriksson’s goal 1:30 into over- Ottawa’s first shot of the game. Turris their Tri-Nations rugby union match against South third period, with Chris Tanev aiming a time gave Boston a 3-2 win over was off balance as he deflected Erik Africa in Wellington. All Black great Dan Carter will leave one-timer at Lehtonen just more than six Minnesota on Wednesday night, only Karlsson’s point shot past Cory Schneider New Zealand rugby after next year’s World Cup to play minutes in. the second victory for the Bruins in eight for his first goal in 11 games. He added for French Top 14 club Racing Metro, the New Zealand Dallas’ John Klingberg took a tripping games and the fourth loss for the Wild in an empty-net goal in the final second of Rugby Union (NZRU) said yesterday. — AFP 8:26 into the third period. The the past six. the game. —Agencies