My dog ate my passport... Leroy Carter nearly misses All Blacks call-up after calamitous mistake
Things then got even more bizarre when the 26-year-old found his passport chewed up on his bed, a guilty-looking pet nearby and had to scramble to find a replacement in order to fly to Argentina ahead of the Rugby Championship-opening clash with the Pumas next Saturday (16 August).
'I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the (team) manager and I just left it on my bedside table,' explained Carter.
'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.
'It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it's all sussed (sorted) now. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it, just trying to sort it out.'
Most of the All Blacks squad will fly to Argentina on Friday, giving them eight days of preparation for the Test match in Cordoba next weekend.
Carter, who represented New Zealand in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics and won a bronze with the squad at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, earned his first All Blacks call-up after his debut season with the Hamilton-based Chiefs in Super Rugby.
He was out for breakfast with his partner and some of his teammates from provincial side Bay of Plenty when New Zealand coach Robertson called to confirm his selection on Monday.
'I got an unknown-number call. I guess I thought if there was a day to answer those it was probably (that day) and he just said congratulations,' added Carter.
"I honestly can't really remember what else he said after that. I was pretty emotional and pretty stoked to get a phone call like that. All the boys were pretty pumped but I was still in a bit of a shock."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
13 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cathal Dennehy: Funding should help athletes who hit rocky patch too
Earlier this week, in an interview Ciara Neville did following her 100m victory at the nationals, there was one line from the Limerick sprinter that stood out. It captured a cold truth about the way Olympic sports are funded in Ireland, and it was based on lived experience. 'When you need it the most, they're not there.' She was referring to the International Carding Scheme, Sport Ireland's method of funding top athletes since 1999. The first thing to say about that system? It works. Twenty years after Ireland won zero medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the team returned from Paris with a record seven. The investment is not the only reason Ireland is now much stronger across Olympic sports, but it's a big reason. It allows many to commit to sport full-time or to work reduced hours, freeing up more time and energy for elite-level training. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Take us with you this summer. Annual €130€65 Best value Monthly €12€6 / month
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cobh Ramblers get job done early to stay within touch of leaders Dundalk
BRAY WANDERERS 0 COBH RAMBLERS 2 (Cian Bargary 8, Barry Coffey 20) Two early goals by Cian Bargary and Barry Coffey give Cobh Ramblers the edge over Bray Wanderers as Dundalk's title rivals heading into the final series of games. Dundalk's quest for an immediate to the Premier division remained on course despite a minor hiccup of falling behind at home to Athlone Town, but Cobh remain within six points off the leaders with nine matches left. Bray spurned the chance of leapfrogging the Rams into that runner-up berth, conceding goals 12 minutes apart to fall five points adrift in third. Teen genius Billy O'Neill showed flashes of his repertoire for Bray, attracting comparisons with Damien Duff. He made the short journey from his Wicklow home for the fixture, a first sighting on the League of Ireland circuit since quitting the Premier champions Shelbourne in June. Damian Duff at the Carlisle Grounds . Photograph Moya Nolan While Bray looked assured of a playoff spot, at this stage it appears the only threat Dundalk face during the run-up will come from Leeside. Manager Mick McDermott always contended he was happy to stay within shooting distance until the latter stages, potentially setting up a final day decider at St Colman's Park when the sides meet on October 17. His confidence stems from his side overcoming off-field upheaval to not only retain their players but strengthen in this window. US-based group Digital Athlete Ventures stepped in three weeks ago to take a 90% stake of the club, ending the uncertainty created by the withdrawal of another foreign group, FC32. Failure to land a suitable backer would have led to a crisis, not just for Cobh but the league itself. Instead, they could rid themselves of being the First Division club longest without being in the top-flight. Turbulence has been a watchword since that 2008 season in the Premier. All McDermott can do is ensure he fulfils his part on the pitch. He's helped by having his team's backbone composed of Cork City's title-winning team from last season. Jonas Häkkinen and new capture Dylan McGlade were part of the City team that won the 2022 season but the two goalscorers, along with captain Cian Coleman at the back and Cian Murphy up top, constitute a quartet with recent experience of emerging from the second tier. Another former City player, goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran, was pressurised from a couple of early Cobh corners. There was nothing he could do about the breakthrough from one of those deliveries on eight minutes. Following pinball in the box, Bargary was first to react by unleashing a shot across his body that flew into the top corner. Coffey's reputation as a free-scoring attacking midfielder was maintained by him popping up in a crowded penalty area to slot the loose ball into the bottom corner. In response, Bray's Paul Murphy had a shot blocked, the same obstacle Rhys Bradley encountered when connecting with a corner. Substitute Justin Ferizaj smashed the ball over with 20 minutes left but at the other end Rhys Gourdie was off-target with his volley at back post. BRAY WANDERERS: J Corcoran; J Duggan (A Kzenga 53), K Cantwell, P Murphy, M Murphy; S Brennan, R Bartley (R Knight 46); B O'Neill, C Doyle (J Ferizaj 67), C Knight (J Ferizaj 53);C Curtis (G Almirall 67). COBH RAMBLERS: T Martin; I Hughes (J Häkkinen 63), C Coleman, Shane A Griffin (J Abbott 83), L Le Bervet; N O'Keeffe (R Goudrie 63), H Cribb; C Bargary (S Bellis 71), B Coffey (D McGlade 72), Shane Griffin; C Murphy. Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin). Attendance: 1,213.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
How Morecambe FC faces possible EXTINCTION amid financial mess as fans despair with just 11 days left to find new owner
Fans blame the club's demise on Essex-based owner Jason Whittingham for not fulfilling his promise to sell the crisis-hit club BRING BACK THE SUNSHINE How Morecambe FC faces possible EXTINCTION amid financial mess as fans despair with just 11 days left to find new owner STARING at the giant Morecambe FC flag bearing the legend Bring Me Sunshine, tears fill club worker Colette Davies' eyes. 'There's no sunshine right now,' weeps the mum of three. 'It's more like dark, black clouds.' Advertisement 8 Morecambe have missed the final deadline and are on the brink of being kicked out the National League 8 Bring Me Sunshine — the signature tune of the town's most famous son, Eric Morecambe isn't likely to echo around the stadium any time soon Credit: Alamy 8 Colette, whose job is 'housekeeper' for the players, says she and other fans are experiencing 'absolute heartbreak' Belted out by fans on match day, Bring Me Sunshine — the signature tune of the town's most famous son, Eric Morecambe — is unlikely to echo around the Shrimps' stadium any time soon. Mired in a financial mess, the club has been suspended by the National League for its first three games this season. If the Lancs club is not sold by August 20, they may be kicked out of the league altogether. Possible extinction of this 105-year-old institution would be a devastating blow for a seaside resort that has seen its tourism industry decimated by cheap package holidays abroad. Advertisement Standing next to the club's well-manicured pitch, Colette, whose job is 'housekeeper' for the players, says she and other fans are experiencing 'absolute heartbreak'. For Colette and many who pack the Halo home stand on match days, the Shrimps are a family affair. Her dad Les Dewhirst has been the club's kit man for the last 30 years and her three children are all Morecambe mad. Les told me he is too upset to be interviewed, saying: 'It's hurting so much and my head won't settle.' Advertisement Ghostly sadness As seagulls wheel overhead, Colette adds: 'There's been lots of tears and anger. When I have to go home and tell my boys that I don't know what's going on at the club, there's absolute heartbreak. They're 14 and 15. This club is their life.' Like other staff at the club, Colette has not been paid since May. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she tells me that new school uniforms for her children are 'on hold'. Tyson Fury opens up on relationship with Joseph Parker and claims he's now his 'part-time manager and financial advisor' 'It's the school holidays, so there's been no fun activities really for my kids because we just can't afford it,' she adds. The giant Bring Me Sunshine flag — complete with a silhouette of a skipping Eric Morecambe, a shrimp and the red rose of Lancashire — stands limp in the sunshine at the back of the Halo stand. Advertisement Despite being born in the resort. the comic genius was famously a Luton Town fan and club director. As with a closed-down pub, a ghostly sadness haunts a shuttered football ground where laughter and emotion once reverberated. Planned weddings, wakes and school proms booked at the 6,241- capacity Mazuma Stadium this summer have all been cancelled. One corner of the stadium is occupied by local hero Tyson Fury's gym. Many in the town are hoping the former heavyweight boxing world champ will step in as a white knight to save the club. Advertisement As yet, there has been no word on a possible takeover from the big man. Colette shows me the empty changing rooms where everything is neat and tidy for when the players should be preparing to face Brackley Town next Saturday. Like today's away fixture at Boston United, it has been postponed. Playing in England's third tier as recently as 2021, only a world war has stopped the Shrimps fulfilling their fixtures until now. Fans blame the demise on Essex-based owner Jason Whittingham for not fulfilling his promise to sell the crisis-hit club. Advertisement On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'very concerned' about the plight of Morecambe FC and urged everyone involved with the club 'to do the right thing'. 8 .Season ticket holder Helen Coates, 56, buying a replica shirt for her grandson Coby, 5 8 Railway worker Russ Horrocks, 38, and son Noah, 11 8 Official kit supplier Terrace's director Carl Sewell says cash from the merchandise will not reach owner Whittingham's pockets Advertisement Supporters have this week been queuing at a pop-up shop on the promenade to buy this season's shirts, even though their team may never get to wear them. There was a forlorn sense of despondency along the usually jaunty seafront as hundreds waited for hours to make their purchase. Railway worker Russ Horrocks, 38, snapped up the away shirt for son Noah, 11, saying: 'Morecambe's a great atmosphere on match days. 'There's 4,000 on a good day, but the noise makes it sound like more. It's as much about meeting your mates as the result.' Advertisement Retired Alan McGinley, 62, whose brother John played for the club, revealed: 'The club is everything for this town now the tourism has been hit. My brother used to get a pork pie for playing and £1 if he scored.' A banner reading, 'Bring back the sunshine' was strapped to railings at the store run by official kit supplier Terrace. Its director, Carl Sewell, says cash from the merchandise will not reach owner Whittingham's pockets, adding: 'We sold around 1,500 shirts in just four hours.' Of the club's slip towards possible exclusion from the league, he said: 'It's horrendous. It will suck the blood out of the town and hit local businesses.' Season ticket holder Helen Coates, 56, buying a replica shirt for her grandson Coby, five, added: 'I don't know what I'm going to do with my Saturdays now. Advertisement 'I took my sons to watch Morecambe, I now take my grandsons. It was only £3 for little ones. It makes me want to weep.' With stunning views of the Lake District fells, Morecambe became a seaside destination for Yorkshire factory workers when a connecting rail line was built around 1850. The club is everything for this town now the tourism has been hit. My brother used to get a pork pie for playing and £1 if he scored. Alan McGinley The resort boomed in the 20th Century — with Scottish holidaymakers also being drawn to it — before no- frills flights to the Med dented its popularity. It had been home to the country's largest Pontins holiday camp, but the last Bluecoats left in 1994. Advertisement Morecambe's once iconic pair of piers are long gone, as is its famous Bubbles swimming pool and the Frontierland fairground. Hope is offered by an £80million scheme to construct a northern version of the Eden Project botanical garden on the seafront. Shrimps season ticket holder David Lambert, 63, points down the promenade and tells me: 'This town used to be packed out at this time of year. 'You couldn't walk along that prom for people. At least on Saturdays the football would give this place a buzz. Away fans would come and walk along the prom, go to the pubs and have fish and chips. That might all be gone now.' Advertisement 'Used to be packed out' Morecambe's once mighty fleet of shrimp fishing boats has also been in steep decline. Ray Edmondson still stocks his little fishmongers with shrimps caught from his boat, the Bernadette. The fisherman says there were 30 shrimp boats when he started out. Now there are just two. He blames 'too many rules and regulations'. Advertisement Ray, who has run his business for 47 years, adds: 'Away fans come in here to buy a few pots of shrimps and take them home with them.' Nearby, staff at Atkinson's Fish & Chips are worried they could lose a decent slice of trade if the football club goes under. The football helps many hospitality businesses through the lean winter months. Bernie Harkin, 52, who has grafted in the shop for 26 years, tells me: 'Fans love our chips with a bit of haddock. The football club is such an important part of the town. Advertisement 'We have our Christmas parties at the stadium.' 8 The club has been suspended by the National League for its first three games this season 8 One corner of the stadium is occupied by local hero Tyson Fury's gym Credit: Getty Barman Zac Rossall, 19, serving pints at the Eric Bartholomew — a Wetherspoon pub bearing Eric Morecambe's real name — says: 'It gets packed here on match day. Advertisement 'I'm not a football fan, but I'm a fan of what it brings to Morecambe. 'If the club closes, it will mean less footfall in the town.' So why is Morecambe in such a financial mess? In 2023, Jason Whittingham's Bond Group Investments announced it was selling the club to investment firm Panjab Warriors. The company loaned £6million to the Shrimps as the club descended into financial turmoil with unpaid bills, sackings and resignations. Advertisement Panjab Warriors are ready to take Morecambe off his hands, but Whittingham says he has an alternative buyer. 'Club is held hostage' Last month, Whittingham sacked the Shrimps' board of directors after they threatened to place the club into administration. Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge has raised the issue in Parliament and said: 'Morecambe FC is being held hostage and it breaks my heart.' In June the Shrimps' players were only paid a third of their salaries. Many have now chosen to leave the club to pay their mortgages. Advertisement One player forced to quit, midfielder Tom White, 28, said: 'Morecambe Football Club is special. This institution needs to survive, and I'm praying.' A town that followed its football club to Wembley three times since 1974 now may lose its cornerstone. While a new Morecambe could rise from the ashes if the club is booted out of the league, it would then likely have to take its place at the bottom of the football pyramid. Bury FC, who were expelled from the Football League for financial difficulties in 2019, have invited Shrimps fans to watch their match free today 'in solidarity'. Advertisement Dozens are planning on making the journey. And they will be supporting another club that understands how football binds a community together.
