Dan Carter\u2019s sons are already showing strong signs of rugby talent \u2014 but they could one day turn down the chance to play for the All Blacks in favour of representing a Six Nations nation.<\/p>\n
With Carter\u2019s legendary status casting a long shadow, there\u2019s growing speculation that his boys may choose a different path to avoid the immense pressure of following in their father\u2019s footsteps.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Meet the Carter Boys<\/p>\n Dan and Honor Carter have four sons:<\/p>\n Marco Carter\u00a0(born 2013): the eldest, now around 12 years old and reportedly already mad about rugby.<\/p>\n Fox William Carter\u00a0(born 3 April 2015): a name that caught attention, possibly a tribute to former All Blacks fly-half Grant Fox.<\/p>\n Rocco Carter\u00a0(born 2019)<\/p>\n Cruz Charles Carter\u00a0(born 10 June 2021): the youngest of the family, and already adored by his older brothers.<\/p>\n Carter often shares snippets of their lives online, showing the boys tossing around a rugby ball and loving the game from an early age.<\/p>\n Could They Choose the Six Nations?<\/p>\n While New Zealand would naturally be the frontrunner for any Carter child eyeing international rugby, the pull of the Six Nations is very real \u2014 especially\u00a0Ireland, where Dan himself was once eligible to play.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right \u2014 the All Blacks legend nearly wore green. If his children inherit that eligibility through ancestry or future residency, it could open the door for one of the Carter boys to represent a Northern Hemisphere giant.<\/p>\n And with New Zealand\u2019s unforgiving rugby spotlight and constant comparisons to their father inevitable, a switch to Europe might offer a fresh slate and less intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n Carter Legacy: A Blessing or a Burden?<\/p>\n For all the benefits of being Dan Carter\u2019s son \u2014 access, coaching, and inspiration \u2014 there\u2019s also the crushing pressure of expectation. The All Blacks jersey is sacred in New Zealand, and anyone named Carter would have a microscope on them from day one.<\/p>\n A move north, whether through club rugby or international pathways, could allow the Carter boys to carve out their own legacies \u2014 perhaps even writing a new chapter in the Six Nations.<\/p>\n Funny interaction:<\/p>\n ChatGPT said:<\/p>\n In the next issue of\u00a0Rugby Journal<\/a>, out on Friday, Carter laughed at his own expense as he recalled his experience:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s funny, because to my kids, I\u2019m just their father, so I might tell them something, their coach will say the exact same thing, and then they\u2019ll listen to the coach more than they\u2019ll listen to me.<\/p>\n \u201cA year or so ago,\u201d he continued, \u201cmy now twelve-year-old son asked if I could find him a kicking coach, maybe Richie Mo\u2019unga or Beauden Barrett, to help with his kicking.<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife just burst out laughing. That\u2019s the beauty of being a parent. After about thirty seconds, he did say, \u2018actually, you know something about kicking, don\u2019t you?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cI can try to help, but they don\u2019t really want to listen, and I kind of enjoy that.\u201d<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n Rugby Referee Worth \u00a339M: Wealthiest Rugby Stars (Ranked 10\u20131)<\/p>\n In this list, we rank the\u00a010 wealthiest rugby stars and personalities in 2025, showcasing how their dedication to the sport\u2014and beyond\u2014has turned into serious wealth.<\/p>\n Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0Beau Ryan (Rugby League) \u2013 \u00a37M<\/p>\n Transitioning from Rugby League to a\u00a0television presenting career, Beau Ryan\u2019s ventures and media work have made him highly lucrative, with reports suggesting a net worth near R200 million.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0Nigel Owens (Wales, Referee) \u2013 \u00a38M<\/p>\n Legendary international referee Nigel Owens built his fortune from\u00a0refereeing, media work, and public appearances, becoming one of the most respected figures in rugby.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0Dan Carter (New Zealand) \u2013 \u00a315M<\/p>\n All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter reached \u00a315M through\u00a0international and club contracts, as well as endorsements.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0Richie McCaw (New Zealand) \u2013 \u00a315M<\/p>\n All Blacks legend Richie McCaw earned his wealth from an\u00a0illustrious rugby career, endorsements, and business activities.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0Francois Pienaar (South Africa) \u2013 \u00a315M<\/p>\n 1995 World Cup-winning captain Pienaar has a net worth of \u00a315M, accumulated from his\u00a0rugby career and post-retirement business ventures.<\/p>\n CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n