New Zealand
Dan Carter targets July return
ESPN Staff
March 13, 2014
Dan Carter is targeting a July return after his sabbatical © Getty Images
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New Zealand's Dan Carter is aiming for a July return to rugby after taking a six month sabbatical from the sport.

Carter has followed the lead of All Blacks Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith in taking a break from rugby, following the Achilles injury he picked up at Twickenham in his 100th Test last year.

By targeting a July comeback, Carter stands to miss England's summer tour to New Zealand. Stuart Lancaster's men will play a three Test series against the All Blacks in June.

Carter told the New Zealand Herald: "I'm pretty keen to play a couple of Crusaders games after the Test series so that's what I'll be working towards [and] potentially a club game or two before then."

Carter has also backed his club side Crusaders to improve after a poor start to their Super Rugby campaign. The Christchurch-based side have taken one win from three so far this season, with their only victory coming in a scrappy 14-13 win over Stormers.

Carter said: "It's a pretty stock standard start by the Crusaders, to be honest - typically slow. They'll be fine, I'm sure they'll get a lot better as the competition goes on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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