Western Force veteran Sam Carter is at peace with his decision to retire at the end of Saturday’s tour match against the British & Irish Lions.
Carter will start in the second-row as he farewells Australian Rugby after close to 15 years of service.
The 35-year-old debuted for the ACT Brumbies in 2011, with over 200 games combined across Super Rugby, NRC, Pro 14/URC and the Premiership, along with 16 caps for the Wallabies to his name.
“I think it was definitely my time. I think I've had a really good experience playing rugby in Australia and overseas,” Carter reflected to Rugby.com.au.
“I'm lucky enough to have finished my career playing for the Force. I'm really happy with where I'm at and ready to walk away from the game.
“I think coming [back to Australia] mid-season last year and finishing the season with the Force and then obviously feeling good and really enjoying my rugby in Perth, looking at the fixtures for next year and the Lions was that first game at the end of June.
"I thought if I could get there, that would be an awesome way to go, and I'm really excited to hopefully be involved in that game.”
Carter is one of the few still playing in Australian Rugby with experience in taming the Lions, helping the Brumbies to a 14-12 win in 2013.
He can see the same qualities in the young Brumbies side in the Force, with 11 players in the 23 for Saturday, experiencing international footy.
“We're not going out there to participate," Carter insists.
“We're going out there to win just like we have all season. It's going to be tight because that's the first game of their trip in Australia and they're going to obviously want to put a good showing out there so it's going to be a really good battle.
“I'm hoping they underestimate us but it's going to be a tight contest either way.”
Carter also has ‘inside knowledge’ on a few of the Lions after calling the likes of Ollie Chessum teammates during his time in the UK.
“I guess it is a little bit of inside knowledge, but again, there's knowing it and then stopping it as well,” he admits.
“They're a great team. They're stacked full of internationals, so it'll be great to get out there and get a match against them.”
