Leroy Carter’s All Blacks call-up nearly derailed by family dog

Rookie All Blacks call-up Leroy Carter was still processing the excitement of being named in the squad to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship when he was hit with an unexpected snag - his dog had eaten his passport.

The versatile back from the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players selected by head coach Scott Robertson for the opening rounds of the tournament.

The call-up itself had come as a huge surprise to Carter, who was scrambling to pack and prepare for departure when he made the shocking discovery.


In the middle of the chaos, Carter realised the family dog had gotten hold of his passport, leaving him in a last-minute scramble to sort out the crucial travel document before joining the team.

"I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the (team) manager and I just left it on my bedside table," Carter said. "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 (sorted) now. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it."

The All Blacks squad is set to depart this Friday for Argentina, where they will face the hosts in Córdoba on August 17 and again in Buenos Aires a week later. These matches mark the opening two rounds of the Rugby Championship, which also features Australia and South Africa.