Sayonnara Dan Carter?

It has been quite a fortnight for plane-spotters with more high profile rugby players announcing their imminent departures from the New Zealand rugby scene. 

However, if rumours are to be believed, they may not have seen it all yet with the news that New Zealand and the world's best player, Daniel William Carter of Southbridge, Canterbury, New Zealand is set to embark on his sabbatical in Japan later this year.

Ma'a Nonu relished his stint in Japan. Will Carter too?

Dan Carter will see out the current Super Rugby campaign and subsequent Rugby Championship before heading to Japan to take up a million dollar playing contract with a yet-unknown club - however, sources have led us to believe that more than one Japanese club is keen on forking out a million bucks to get Dan Carter playing for them.

Japanese rugby is likely to be a less physical but still competitive affair for Dan Carter which might suit the 31-year-old as he starts to wind down his highly successful rugby career. And after the trauma from his last sabbatical experience in France which lasted all but 2 games (?) for Perpignan due to injury, Carter will be keen to art least get a season overseas under his belt. 

I think right now, Carter needs to prolong his career and this is probably not a bad move for him after all especially if he still harbors hopes of playing in the 2015 World Cup.

Furthermore, first five stocks in this country are at an all time high and Carter's absence will shift the pressure onto the likes of Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor. And who's to say that Dan the Man will slot in easily into the no. 10 jersey that he has made his own since that epic 2005 Lions series?