NSW coach Michael Foley said Tom Carter was an “inspiration” in the Waratahs’ 34-30 Super Rugby win over the Sharks, just two days after the controversial inside centre was labelled a “disgrace” by Melbourne forward Adam Byrnes.
Carter scored a vital try on Saturday which put the Waratahs in front for the first time in the 58th minute and was a constant menace with his powerful ball-running.
The 29-year-old was the player who made an eye-gouging allegation against Byrnes back in round two, and the Rebels lock lashed out at his accuser this week after having his 10-week suspension overturned.
Asked whether Carter was worried at all by the scathing attack, Foley said: “I wouldn’t think that would worry anyone.”
And the coach praised his No.12 for lifting his side to a crucial victory in the face of what would have been their worst-ever start to a Super Rugby season.
“I think when you watch Tom play you can certainly see the inspiration he provides for people, there’s never anything left at the end of the game,” he said.
“There were a number of times today when he made crucial runs that again gave us the momentum to play off.
“Our nine and 10 (Brendan McKibbin and Berrick Barnes) distributed and Tom was on the end of that to make the yards and that allowed the other people to come into the game.”
Carter seemingly let off some steam with a big post-try celebration after he touched down under the posts.
But he almost went from hero to villain minutes after his try, giving away a penalty from close range to allow Sharks No.10 Patrick Lambie to boot the visitors into the lead with nine minutes left.
The experienced midfielder also come under fire from Queensland star Digby Ioane earlier this year, but against the Sharks in his return to the starting side after a stint on the bench, Carter showed what an asset he can be.