sport

Carter relishing Wilkinson battle

Dan Carter: Striving to be perfect 10

Dan Carter admits he is relishing going head-to-head with his opposite number Jonny Wilkinson this Saturday.

New Zealand visit Twickenham this weekend as they take on England and the Test encounter offers a battle between two of the finest fly-halves of the generation, according to All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen.

They have met only twice before, during the 2005 Lions tour, with only the second Test placing them head to head in the number 10 jersey. Ahead of the rivals' first showdown in national colours, Carter has spoken of his admiration for Wilkinson.

"I know plenty about my opposite number," said Carter.

"I have a huge respect for him and it's great to see him back in the England jersey.

"It will be my first encounter with him for New Zealand v England so it's going to be a great challenge.

"I always look forward to these occasions so, yeah, can't wait."

The battle between the two leading pivots of the past decade will take top billing this weekend, with both men having proved pivotal to their side's success over the years.

Wilkinson was at his dominant best when he guided England to World Cup glory in 2003 but with injuries taking their toll on him in the intervening six years, Carter has come to the fore.

Carter, who needs just two more points to become his country's highest scorer in Test rugby, insists he will go into Saturday's game focussed only on his own performance.

"I have my own goals, standards and expectations that I want to live up to, I don't compare myself with anyone," said Carter, when asked how he will prepare for a match against a player he looked up to as a junior.

"But definitely at the start of my professional career he was a player that I looked up to - he was in the best form of his life in 2002/2003.

"It's always good coming up against guys you looked up to so to see him back and playing it's great."