Dan Carter’s sons are already showing strong signs of rugby talent — but they could one day turn down the chance to play for the All Blacks in favour of representing a Six Nations nation.
With Carter’s legendary status casting a long shadow, there’s growing speculation that his boys may choose a different path to avoid the immense pressure of following in their father’s footsteps.
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Meet the Carter Boys
Dan and Honor Carter have four sons:
- Marco Carter (born 2013): the eldest, now around 12 years old and reportedly already mad about rugby.
- Fox William Carter (born 3 April 2015): a name that caught attention, possibly a tribute to former All Blacks fly-half Grant Fox.
- Rocco Carter (born 2019)
- Cruz Charles Carter (born 10 June 2021): the youngest of the family, and already adored by his older brothers.
Carter often shares snippets of their lives online, showing the boys tossing around a rugby ball and loving the game from an early age.
Could They Choose the Six Nations?
While New Zealand would naturally be the frontrunner for any Carter child eyeing international rugby, the pull of the Six Nations is very real — especially Ireland, where Dan himself was once eligible to play.
That’s right — the All Blacks legend nearly wore green. If his children inherit that eligibility through ancestry or future residency, it could open the door for one of the Carter boys to represent a Northern Hemisphere giant.
And with New Zealand’s unforgiving rugby spotlight and constant comparisons to their father inevitable, a switch to Europe might offer a fresh slate and less intense scrutiny.
Carter Legacy: A Blessing or a Burden?
For all the benefits of being Dan Carter’s son — access, coaching, and inspiration — there’s also the crushing pressure of expectation. The All Blacks jersey is sacred in New Zealand, and anyone named Carter would have a microscope on them from day one.
A move north, whether through club rugby or international pathways, could allow the Carter boys to carve out their own legacies — perhaps even writing a new chapter in the Six Nations.
Funny interaction:
ChatGPT said:
In the next issue of Rugby Journal, out on Friday, Carter laughed at his own expense as he recalled his experience:
“It’s funny, because to my kids, I’m just their father, so I might tell them something, their coach will say the exact same thing, and then they’ll listen to the coach more than they’ll listen to me.
“A year or so ago,” he continued, “my now twelve-year-old son asked if I could find him a kicking coach, maybe Richie Mo’unga or Beauden Barrett, to help with his kicking.
“My wife just burst out laughing. That’s the beauty of being a parent. After about thirty seconds, he did say, ‘actually, you know something about kicking, don’t you?’
“I can try to help, but they don’t really want to listen, and I kind of enjoy that.”
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Rugby Referee Worth £39M: Wealthiest Rugby Stars (Ranked 10–1)
In this list, we rank the 10 wealthiest rugby stars and personalities in 2025, showcasing how their dedication to the sport—and beyond—has turned into serious wealth.
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10. Beau Ryan (Rugby League) – £7M
Transitioning from Rugby League to a television presenting career, Beau Ryan’s ventures and media work have made him highly lucrative, with reports suggesting a net worth near R200 million.
9. Nigel Owens (Wales, Referee) – £8M
Legendary international referee Nigel Owens built his fortune from refereeing, media work, and public appearances, becoming one of the most respected figures in rugby.
8. Dan Carter (New Zealand) – £15M
All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter reached £15M through international and club contracts, as well as endorsements.
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand) – £15M
All Blacks legend Richie McCaw earned his wealth from an illustrious rugby career, endorsements, and business activities.
6. Francois Pienaar (South Africa) – £15M
1995 World Cup-winning captain Pienaar has a net worth of £15M, accumulated from his rugby career and post-retirement business ventures.
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