A few seasons ago, Leroy Carter was fighting for regular game time as a Chiefs halfback. However, his career took a dramatic turn after switching positions. Now, the Leroy Carter All Blacks story continues to inspire fans as he scores crucial tries against world-class opposition like the Springboks.
The positional transition began when injuries hit Bay of Plenty. Consequently, Carter moved from halfback to the wing. He also joined the New Zealand Sevens program before making his official Test debut against South Africa in 2025.
“We had a year at the Bay where a couple of injuries happened and I wasn’t playing at the time. I think we had Juddy (Richard Judd) and Triple T (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi) in front of me. So then I just jumped on the wing, and then got a gig with the Sevens, and that’s when the transition happened.” — Leroy Carter
Leroy Carter All Blacks Adaptation and High Ball Challenges
However, moving to the wing required learning new tactical skills quickly. For instance, mastering high ball aerial contests proved to be the toughest hurdle.
“Probably the high balls. It’s pretty tough, especially with no escorting anymore. Just another level that made it a little bit harder. Even the best in the world don’t get it right sometimes, so that’s a continual work-on for me.” — Leroy Carter
Nevertheless, his extensive Sevens background paid off significantly. Carter previously won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal and represented New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Therefore, his speed and physical endurance proved valuable during the second Test in Cape Town, where he sprinted 40 metres to score late in the match.
Furthermore, wearing the famous number 11 jersey remains a deeply meaningful achievement for him. Reflecting on his debut, Carter acknowledged the great players who wore the silver fern before him.
Teammate Reflections and Future Matches
In addition, former teammate Brad Weber shared insights about Carter’s early development during their time together at the Chiefs. Weber recalled working closely with him on core halfback skills like passing and kicking.
“He was a young fella coming through, so there was a fair bit of work to do there. But you could see when he came in how explosive he was. He was super fast and got stuck into contact, so he was a little bit of a different nine in that regard. Who knows what he could have been if he’d stuck at nine… But man, great story. It’s pretty cool.” — Brad Weber
Currently, the Leroy Carter All Blacks focus turns to Johannesburg for the deciding third Test against the Springboks. With the series currently locked at 1-1, both teams prepare for a high-stakes encounter this weekend.
Supporters keeping track of upcoming tour dates can view our full 2026 match schedule page. Ticketing details for international matches are available on our rugby ticket information page. To explore statistical records between trans-Tasman rivals, check our breakdown of the All Blacks head-to-head records.
Player Career Overview
Player Name: Leroy Carter
Original Position: Halfback (Number 9)
Current Position: Wing (Number 11)
Key Milestones: Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist, Paris 2024 Olympian, 2025 All Blacks Test Debut
Next Fixture: Third Test vs Springboks in Johannesburg (Series tied 1-1)
For additional official fixtures and rugby news, visit the official World Rugby portal.