Dan Carter will play his 100th test when he runs on to Twickenham in London early on Sunday morning (NZ time) to take on the English. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at 10 ups and downs of Carter's career.
1 Test debut
After playing for the New Zealand Colts in 2002, Carter made an outstanding debut in 2003 for the Crusaders and was rewarded with a call-up to the All Black squad.
He played against Wales in Hamilton, the same test in which Brad Thorn made his debut, and was at second five-eighth, outside Carlos Spencer. Scored 20 points with a try, penalty and six conversions.
2 Disappointing first World Cup
After playing well for the Crusaders again in 2003, switching between the No 10 and No 12 jerseys, he was picked for the World Cup squad for the tournament in Australia.
He played the opening three matches but in the crunch games, against South Africa and Australia, was not needed. In fact, never got off the bench in the semifinal loss to the Wallabies.
3 Moving in
Carter finally got to wear the No 10 jersey in a test against Italy in Rome in late 2004. And the All Blacks played well to record a resounding 59-10 win.
Carter helped set up a try for Conrad Smith in the first minute and then helped himself to a try barely five minutes later. Looked assured in the pivot in the black jersey, a sign of things to come.
4 Perfect in Paris
A commanding performance from the All Blacks which was to set up many careers, including Carter's.
The man from Southbridge scored 25 points in the 45-6 victory in Paris in 2004, in one of the best All Black performances in many years. Carter that night looked the ideal No 10.
He could kick, run, and most importantly could see what was going to happen, or about to happen, in front of him. With Carlos Spencer and Andrew Mehrtens about to head into the wilderness, Carter was the top man in the first five-eighth position.
5 Ultimate effort
It is pretty hard to play a perfect game of rugby but Carter went very close one night in 2005 in Wellington, as the Lions were put to the sword. Carter put together the complete package.
A mere 33 points, two very skilful tries, sideline conversions, scything runs, hand-offs and a complete and utter demolition of the Lions.
The Lions came to New Zealand with plenty of talk but that was well and truly buried by Carter in Wellington that night. And he went off injured before the end of the game.
6 Disappointing second World Cup
On the back of some fine form - not just from Carter - and with increased depth in the squad, it seemed the All Blacks only had to turn up in France in 2007 to win the World Cup.
Carter would be the lead conductor as the All Blacks strolled to the biggest prize.
But the plans went wrong, in a big way. The plan started to unravel for Carter on the training paddock before the final pool game against Romania when he tweaked a calf.
Was cleared to play the quarterfinal against France but was clearly not fit. Came off early in the second half and could only watch as the All Blacks tumbled out of the tournament.
7 Bledisloe battle
It was all on in Brisbane in 2008. The winner of this match would take the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations.Carter was at his best that night as the All Blacks came from behind to win the match.
The Wallabies were ahead 17-7 but slowly the All Blacks, led by Carter, came back into the game. The All Blacks scored two quick tries and Carter then put the icing on the cake.
He received the ball about 15m out from the line and bounced out of a tackle and then swerved between a couple of players to score. That was the class of the man - creating something when little appeared on.
8 Welsh walloped
In what was supposed to be the last test at Carisbrook, the All Black No 10 departed the ground in style in 2010.
The Welsh were up for the game and started well. In fact, a questionable try to Cory Jane was the only reason the All Blacks were ahead just 15-9 at the break.
But Carter took over in the second half. He helped himself to two tries, ghosting over the line and leaving Welsh defenders flat-footed. Carter scored 27 points and was the main difference between the two teams.
9 Disappointing third World Cup
With the pressure on to win the tournament at home, Carter was set to be the star of the show in 2011. It all started out so well.
He was sublime in the test against France in pool play, setting up a try for Israel Dagg, and marshalling a big All Black win.
It looked as though the big pay day was coming for Carter. But his world, or more correctly his groin, fell apart a day before the final pool game against Canada, when he had been named as captain.
He tore his groin at training and was out of the tournament.
Watched from the sidelines as the All Blacks finally won the World Cup, and picked up a winner's medal.
10 Sunk by Bismarck
It had just been announced Carter was to take a six-month sabbatical in 2014 when the Springboks arrived to take on the All Blacks in what was expected to be a physical match at Eden Park.
Carter started well but then ran into a crunching Bismarck du Plessis tackle midway through the first half. The Springbok hooker picked up a yellow card and Carter picked up a shoulder injury.
He is now back to full fitness but with the likes of Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett putting the heat on, one wonders if Carter will see a fourth World Cup.
Dan Carter
Age: 31.
Physical: 1.78m, 96kg.
Tests: 99.
Points: 1433 (29 tries, 254 conversions, 254 penalties, 6 drop goals).
