New Zealand vs France RWC 2015: Dan Carter rises to the occasion – as the great player he is

On the evidence of New Zealand's demolition of France, Carter's tie on the biggest stage may yet come

New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter (Getty Images)

Dan Carter claimed in the build-up to this quarter-final that the players had not once talked about the All Blacks World Cup downfall at the same stage of the tournament, against the same opponents and at the same venue. But France’s famous dismantling of New Zealand at the 2007 World Cup must certainly have been on Carter’s mind.

In his native New Zealand, that game is still talked about, likewise the decision to start Carter, who was not fully fit on the day and came off shortly into the second half with an ankle injury.

If the need to do so was still there, Carter finally laid that particular demon to rest but, for the 33-year-old, it was more than just the events of eight years ago.

This is his fourth World Cup and he could not afford a fourth failure. In 2003, it has to be said, he was no more than a bit-part player while he missed out on his fellow countrymen’s crowning glory last time around when a standard kicking session before the final pool game turned into an injury nightmare.

Going into this tournament, there were those who questioned Carter’s place in the team, the suggestion being he was no longer clinical enough, an accusation levelled more broadly at the men in black.

Prior to this France encounter, Carter had been relatively quiet on the field and in terms of keeping his counsel off it but last night’s 80 minutes at the Millennium Stadium suggested he is reaching his peak at the perfect time.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland had spoken in the build-up to the quarter-finals about how great players know when to take risks; little did he know such a comment would be more prescient to the latter quarter-final.

For Carter, the perfect example came just before the half-hour mark with an exquisite reverse pop-up pass that not only found Julian Savea but removed three defenders from play and eased the way for Savea to score the first of a hat-trick of tries.

His willingness to throw caution to the wind was there from the second minute with a deft chip kick to pierce the French midfield. In truth, it was too weighted and arguably the wrong move but it was a statement of intent and an indication of his confidence.

His kicking paved the way for another try just before half-time with a high ball that appeared to come close to the roof of the Millennium Stadium and gave Ben Smith enough time from deep in his own half to collect and open the way for Savea to score another.

Until last year, one could argue what was a rugby career of the highest quality appeared to be on a slow downward spiral, in part due to two years of injury problems.

But shedding three kilograms has helped his game and seemingly not hindered the low tackles that were another feature amid the point scoring.

He is all too aware this is a last chance for one of the game’s greats to finally prove it on the biggest stage. It was there in the commiserative pat he gave Frederic Michalak as his fellow 33-year-old effectively bid adieu to World Cup rugby early on.

But that thought has not manifested itself in any sense of panic, even when the French threatened to deliver early on.

Instead, there was a calmness verging on nonchalance with the ball in hand, even with a marauding French pack fast approaching, the sign of a player who knows where his game and mind are at.

On the evidence of Saturday night’s events, his time on the biggest stage may yet come.