Rugby: All Black legend Dan Carter voted World Rugby player of the decade

Dan Carter celebrates the 2015 World Cup win
Dan Carter celebrates the 2015 World Cup win Photo credit: Getty

All Blacks legend Dan Carter has been named World Rugby's player of the decade.

The 2015 World Cup winner beat out his former skipper Richie McCaw in the final of the 16-player fan vote.

Other All Blacks in the mix were outgoing captain Kieran Read, halfback Aaron Smith and multiple time World Rugby Player of the Year, Beauden Barrett. 

Carter, New Zealand's greatest-ever first-five, won two World Cups as a player (2011, 2015), but it was his performance in the knockout stages of the 2015 tournament that cemented his legend.

Carter kicked crucial drop goals in both the semi-final win over the Springboks and the final triumph at Twickenham against the Wallabies.

Carter also won three Super Rugby crowns with his beloved Crusaders.

The 37-year-old has a world record 1598 points in 112 tests.