It must be one of the gutsiest feel-good rugby stories in recent memory.

Wallabies workhorse lock Sam Carter badly sprained his ankle seven minutes into his Test debut against France in June, battled on for the full 80, and earned man-of-the-match honours.

It was a game where the side’s speed merchants razzle-dazzled to run in seven tries, which almost always results in one of the flashier backs picking up the top award.

But not this time.

Carter was the top tackler, led the run count in the forwards, and you can bet your bottom dollar he was right up there with most rucks hit.

“Obviously just getting out there and playing was a dream come true to start with,” Carter said.

“But to be able to go the 80 minutes, get a good result and get man-of-the-match was beyond expectation.”

Carter’s ankle injury saw him sit out the next two Tests against France, and now he’s itching for another crack when the All Blacks travel to Sydney for the Bledisloe Cup opener on August 16.

Carter, whose dad David played six Tests for the Wallabies, would be lucky to be recognised by Brumbies fans in the ACT, such is his head down, bum up approach to rugby.

It didn’t escape the astute eye of Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, however, who promoted the 24-year-old to the Test starting line-up at the expense of former captain James Horwill.

Yet Carter promises his rise to the top through his man-of-the-match honours won’t change his style.

“I want to make sure I’m in the most runs, most tackles and most rucks hit – that is something I mark myself on,” Carter said.

“I won’t ever be making linebreaks or long runs or stuff like that.

“I focus on getting quick ball to the backs and making sure the set piece is right, so we can play off it.”