Just when you thought modern rugby players were all about clichés and canned statements, in comes Leroy Carter, the Chiefs’ uncapped winger, with a story that cuts through the mundane. Earlier this week, the 26-year-old was called up as injury cover for Caleb Clarke in the All Blacks' squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship. Yet, Carter’s inclusion was nearly jeopardized by his own dog, who decided to snack on his passport.
After being announced as part of coach Scott Robertson’s 42-man ensemble, Carter was asked by All Blacks management to submit a passport photo. The task seemed simple enough until an unfortunate domestic mishap occurred. “
"My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone, and it’s gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners,"
Carter shared during Thursday’s media session. The mishap led to a frantic scramble to secure an emergency passport just as the team was about to embark on their journey to Argentina.The All Blacks are set to fly out on Friday, with their first match scheduled for August 16 in Cordoba, Argentina. Carter, who also represents Bay of Plenty in the NPC and was a part of the New Zealand sevens team at last year’s Paris Olympics, now aims to make his mark in the fifteen-a-side game. Despite the passport debacle, he managed to get everything “sussed” in time for the crucial upcoming fixtures.
This unexpected twist not only highlighted Carter's rookie mistake but also added a bit of unexpected flavor to the All Blacks' preparations. It’s refreshing to see a player bringing some personal anecdotes to the table, something that’s become a rarity in the professional era. Now, with documents in order and dog presumably secured, Carter looks forward to proving his worth on the international stage, hopefully with no further canine interruptions.