Leicester coach Aaron Mauger will look to put his knowledge of former Crusaders and New Zealand team-mate Dan Carter to good use when the Tigers face Racing 92 in a European Champions Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The pair will be on opposite sides when Carter, a veteran of 112 Tests and one of the stars of the All Blacks 2015 World Cup-winning side, bids to lead Paris-based Racing into their first major European final this weekend.

Few people have had longer experience of the skills of Carter, international rugby union's leading points-scorer, than former New Zealand centre Mauger.

"The first time I heard of Dan he was playing for Christchurch Boys' High School," said Mauger.

"I was on crutches, I'd broken my ankle in a pre-season game for Canterbury. I went down to watch the first XV and he was playing fly-half.

"I knew it wasn't going to be too far away before he was wearing a red and black (Canterbury) jersey and a black (New Zealand) jersey.
"The next time his name really came up we were on an All Blacks tour watching a Ranfurly Shield match, I think it was Dan's first game for Canterbury, they were playing against East Coast.

"He was playing 12 (inside centre) and I was the All Blacks 12 at the time. Dan scored three tries against East Coast and Tana Umaga was giving me a bit of grief.

"He was saying 'you'd better watch yourself there son, this boy looks like he's keen for your jersey'.

"Every time he stepped up he never looked out of place, he had the feel of the game and that's a great sign for a young player."

Mauger added: "He's never been overawed by any challenge, and it's no different now.
"He's probably been the difference for Racing this year, even though you don't want to pin too much on one person.

"He'll back himself to play what's in front of him, but we've got to back ourselves to take that time and space away from him, limit his options and put him under pressure."

Mauger, 35, has been widely credited with adding an extra degree of backline flair this season to a Leicester side traditionally known for forward power.

European rugby was widely criticised for a lack of attacking edge following last year's World Cup in England, where no team from the continent made it through to the semi-finals.

But, as far as club rugby rugby is concerned, Mauger believes the European Champions Cup may now have the edge on the southern hemisphere's expanded Super Rugby tournament.

"I think the Champions Cup is getting bigger, a bit more so now as I believe Super Rugby has been diluted by adding extra teams, which is a bit of a concern for them down there," said Mauger, who helped the Crusaders to four Super Rugby titles between 2000 and 2007.

"I think the European competition is probably the higher-quality competition, because you've got all the best teams, especially at this stage, you've got teams who deserve to be there in big games."
Source: AFP