Casey Laulala believes Dan Carter’s drink-drive shame has helped forge a strong bond of friendship between the New Zealand teammates which can help Racing 92 end a troubled season with a successful Top 14 title defence.
All Blacks fly-half superstar Carter was pulled over for drink-driving in Paris in February and has since been stripped of his licence.
The World Cup winner’s misfortune, however, at least helped Laulala get to know Carter better, an opportunity which never arose when they were at the Crusaders.
They may have been clubmates back in New Zealand but inhabited different rugby worlds — Carter was to go on to play 112 times for the All Blacks while Laulala only pulled on the famous jersey on two occasions.
“I’m his Uber driver now,” Laulala, who lives near two-time World Cup winner Carter in the plush Parisian suburb of Meudon, told AFP.
“I am the one who will look for him and bring him home every day…but he misses not being able to drive.”
Centre Laulala, who is 35 years old, just like Carter, said he is seeing a new side to his illustrious colleague.
“I made sure that he was fine, that he had someone to talk to (after the drink-drive incident). Few people have access to him… I see him more than anyone else in the team.”
Despite his off-field problems — Carter, fellow former All Black Joe Rokococo and Argentinian winger Juan Imhoff were all cleared after testing positive for corticosteroids following last season’s Top 14 final — Laulala knows the importance of his countryman to Racing.
He will be key again on Saturday when the Paris giants tackle Montpellier in the play-offs with a semi-final spot at stake.
Carter has been in sensational form in recent weeks.
He created a memorable try for Laulala in last month’s derby clash against Stade Francais before scoring the crucial try against Bordeaux last weekend to allow Racing to squeeze into the sixth and final play-off spot.
“It’s thanks to him,” added Laulala. “His brain has such an ability to anticipate. He is always one or two steps ahead of most of us. We have to adapt to what he is doing.”
Racing will not be favourites against Montpellier on Saturday — just three weeks ago, they were crushed 54-3 by Jake White’s side.
But Laulala is keen for Racing’s season not to end just yet for his sake and other Kiwi freinds.
Former All Blacks forward Chris Masoe, 38, will retire once the campaign ends while 36-year-old lock Ali Williams was booted out of the team after being arrested for possession of cocaine in February.
“Ali’s fine, he’s a very positive person, he’s looking at the different options available to him,” Laulala said.
Montpellier will be without South African lock forward Jacques du Plessis who was handed a season-ending ban on Wednesday for elbowing an opponent in the April 30 game against La Rochelle.
On Friday, three-time European champions Toulon face Castres in the first of the play-offs.
Toulon are likely to still be without Australian utility back Matt Giteau who hasn’t played since February because of an ankle injury and will leave for Japan in the summer.
Springboks winger Bryan Habana is also a doubtful starter with a muscle injury.
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