Dan Carter is part of Sky's live coverage of the European Champions Cup final. Watch Clermont Auvergne v Saracens live on Sky Sports 3 from 4pm on Saturday.
Thursday 11 May 2017 13:43, UK
All Blacks legend Dan Carter has urged New Zealand's current crop of players to make the most of a "once in a lifetime opportunity" against the British and Irish Lions.
The Lions travel to New Zealand later this summer in search of their first series victory over the world champions since 1971.
Carter knows what it's like to beat the Lions - having played in the 3-0 series whitewash for New Zealand back in 2005.
The Racing 92 fly-half produced a superb individual performance in the second Test in Wellington - scoring a record 33 points for his side to help the All Blacks clinch the series with an emphatic 48-18 victory at the Westpac Stadium.
Carter believes a Lions series is like no other in world rugby and hailed the "unique atmosphere" that the touring supporters bring over from the British Isles.
"As a New Zealander there is something really unique about a Lions series, obviously it only comes round once every 12 years," said Carter, speaking at the Rugby Players' Association Awards on Tuesday where he was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
"In your All Black career, you're pretty fortunate to be part of a Lions series. I just want to make the most of it.
"There was something about the touring Lions supporters that brought this unique atmosphere that I absolutely loved. I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in that series and I just wanted to give it everything I got.
"I was pretty young and carefree back then so I tried a few things and they managed to come off that night in the second Test."
New Zealand have suffered just three defeats since the start of 2013 but Carter believes the Lions can find a way to beat them if their forwards dominate the opposing pack.
"Obviously it's early on in the season for the All Blacks. Basically, you've got to turn up," said Carter, who will help to provide expert analysis of Saturday's Champions Cup final between Clermont Auvergne and Saracens, live on Sky Sports 3 HD.
"The forwards have to get up and dominate the All Black pack and if they do that you're shutting down some pretty dangerous backs in the All Black back line.
"It's pretty clichéd in rugby terms but that's where it starts and finishes."
When asked if he believed the Lions will beat the All Blacks, Carter replied: "Hopefully not. Can they? Yeah, they've got a great team.
"Obviously it's a big tour - as a Kiwi I'm hoping they won't. It's going to be an exciting series, I can't wait."
