Carter is rugby's Messi - Edwards

Praised: Dan Carter

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Wales coach Shaun Edwards likened All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter to FC Barcelona soccer star Lionel Messi ahead of their clash on November 24.

Edwards was speaking during the lead-up to their game against Samoa at the Millennium Stadium, with Wales entering following a loss to Argentina.

But after what was a truly exceptional performance from Carter against Scotland over the weekend, Edwards found time to praise the mercurial pivot.

"He is a once in a generation player, isn't he?" Edwards told Press Association Sport.

"You have to sometimes stand back - it's like watching Lionel Messi play football - and realise that you are just glad you were around to see him.

"I just hope he doesn't play too good against us.

"I thought after Scotland intercepted a Carter pass and scored a try, it was probably the worst thing that could have happened to them.

"He was absolutely breathtaking after that. He virtually took it upon himself to correct what he had done wrong and the tries flowed for New Zealand."

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