Ex-New Zealand No10 Dan Carter inspires Racing 92 to beat Leicester and set up Saracens final
Former All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter kicked Racing 92 into a European Champions Cup final against Saracens with 11 points in yesterday’s 19-16 defeat of Leicester.
France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud’s early try put Racing in front at Nottingham’s City Ground and Carter’s four successful kicks kept Leicester at bay until a 79th-minute try from Telusa Veainu belatedly gave the Tigers hope.
Racing, who ended hopes of a first all-English final, are due to meet Saracens on 14 May in Lyon.
Carter, 34, is aiming to add to a CV that already boasts four Super Rugby titles, nine Rugby Championship triumphs and last year’s World Cup success.
“It’s an amazing achievement. This competition was a big part of the reason I wanted to come and play in France,” said Carter. “Winning the final would be a dream come true.
“It’s been an amazing four and a half months, but that would top things off. Saracens are a quality side, the form side of the tournament, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill insists his side will not dwell on defeat as thoughts return to domestic matters and their challenge for a first Premiership since 2013.
“We don’t do sulking,” he said. “We’ve just got to crack on: we’ve lost and that’s the game. We can’t change it, so we’ll look forward to trying to secure the top four and a league semi-final.”