Carter feels ‘at home’ in Cardiff’s Millenium stadium

All Black star flyhalf Dan Carter says that if he can’t play at home in New Zealand there is no place that he would rather be than at Cardiff’s Millennium stadium.

The All Blacks are in Cardiff for their match against Georgia in their third World Cup match on Friday and Carter is in line to play at the Millennium stadium for the eighth time.

“It’s probably my favourite stadium in the world,” said the world’s leading point scorer Carter.

Carter will retire from playing Test rugby after the Rugby World Cup but he will continue playing for French Club Racing 92 who’s home ground is the Stade Yves-du-Manoir with a capacity of 14,000 which is a far cry from the Millennium Stadium’s 74,000.

In Carter’s seven Tests at Millennium Stadium he has played Wales six times and the only defeat was in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final against France which Carter says he has put behind him.

“It’s just an amazing place to play, an awesome atmosphere,” said the 33-year-old who has played 107 Tests and scored a world record 1,532 Test points.

In his seven Tests at the millennium stadium he has scored 106 points from 22 penalties, 15 conversions and two tries.

Because Wales are playing Fiji at the ground on the day before the All Blacks play Georgia, there will be no traditional eve of match training there nor kicking practice. But that did not both Carter.

“I’ve played there enough as have the other kickers in the team played here a couple of time so we’re used to the conditions,” he said.

“As a kicker it’s quite handy having a roof take away any wind or rain.”

Carter likened the Welsh love of rugby as similar to New Zealand which made it special.

“They are so vocal and that’s always an added bonus, It’s always pretty electric inside the stadium,” he said.

“Obviously we’re not playing Wales this time so it will be slightly different but still a capacity crowd.”

The All Blacks have won their two opening World Cup pool games against Argentina and Namibia while Georgia began with a win over Tonga before being beaten by Argentina.

Assuming the All Blacks qualify from Pool C they will be back at Millennium Stadium in three weeks for a quarter-final against either Ireland or, ominously, France who shape as the two teams to emerge from Pool D.