After a below-par test, by his standards, in the loss to Australia in Sydney, it was All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster who took the 33-year-old aside to remind him of a few things.
The message was: back yourself and your skill and your experience. Take control, but just keep things simple.
It served to recalibrate Carter's computer and the result was a dominant performance at Eden Park -- one of his best for the All Blacks in recent years and a fitting way for him to end his career in New Zealand. The key was that he was a genuine threat with the ball. Whereas he ran only twice with it in Sydney, he carried 10 times on Saturday, with two try assists for Dane Coles and Ma'a Nonu.
His first, a sublime step to bamboozle James Horwill and accelerate away for Coles' scampering run to the line was vintage Carter. His second was a simple cut move with Nonu -- the important thing being that he attracted the defence and allowed his second-five to do what he does best.
Coach Steve Hansen called it a special performance, acknowledging his No10 delivered it with the eyes of the rugby world on him. "He was the Dan Carter of old," Hansen said. "It will be huge for him because I think he'll get a lot of confidence out of it. He's got a smile on his face as wide as the Grand Canyon at the moment. He knows he's done the job and he's done it under pressure. He's been questioned by a lot of people and he stood up but, again, it's easy to do that when you're going forward."
It was Hansen who revealed Foster's input, saying the assistant coach deserved credit for it.
"A lot of it was being clear and calm and just driving this team," Carter said. "That was the big focus he gave to me -- to direct this team like it was mine and to take control and I felt I did that for most of the night."
Hansen said: "He cleared a lot of the stuff out of his head and we just asked him to direct the game -- be dominant and run the game. From that moment, even in training -- I thought on Thursday he trained as good as he has in four years -- he just carried it on."
Asked about the doubters who believe Carter is past it, the man himself was unequivocal. "I put a lot more expectation and pressure on myself compared to the media or public. I know when I'm playing well and what I want to achieve. As long as you work hard, which I have been, you reap the rewards."
Carter's triumphant performance highlighted the poor one of his opposite Quade Cooper, who fluffed his lines and was then sinbinned for a high tackle on Aaron Smith.
Carter left Eden Park with another happy memory, Cooper with another he would rather forget.
"I've had some great memories playing in New Zealand and especially at Eden Park," Carter said. "To think I won't be playing in the black jersey in New Zealand again -- to have a special performance like that... is something I will cherish for a long time."
By Patrick McKendry of NZME News Service
