Schoolboy mates Tom Carter and Tim Davidson looking to retire with another club rugby premiership

THE handbrake. That is all Tim Davidson could think about as he drove over the Harbour Bridge, with Tom Carter screaming in his ear.

THE handbrake. That is all Tim Davidson could think about as he drove over the Harbour Bridge, with passenger Tom Carter screaming in his ear.

"It was 2010, we didn’t have the best game as a forward pack, and Tom was into me as soon as we were walking off the field," Davidson says.

"He was into me in the shower, he was into me in the carpark.

"He was into me over the Harbour Bridge, and I was about to pull the handbrake and start punching him."
But he resisted, because Davidson understands Carter’s passion in a way few can.

"After 30 years, we can be honest and truthful with each other in a way not many people can," Davidson says.

"I had hoped that day Tom would leave me alone until Monday for the debrief but that is not always the way with Tom, he likes to get it done.

"We know not to take it personally."

Like when Carter told Davidson to retire because his training standards had slipped. Or when Davidson told Carter to reconsider how he talks to people.

These country boys, best friends, have known each other since birth.

They grew up together in Young, riding horses, climbing rocks, playing soccer at five, league at eight, and union at 13, made the move to the big smoke, forged professional rugby careers, and now finish together.

After nearly 150 games together for Sydney University, and hundreds more in junior rugby, the 30-year-olds face the prospect of playing their final match together on Saturday afternoon.

It is a semi-final at University Oval against Southern Districts, the highly motivated opponents University defeated in last year’s Shute Shield grand final.

Lose, and it’s over.

Win, and they receive the fairytale opportunity few are handed in sport; the chance to retire as grand final champions.

"No one deserves anything in sport, it is a privilege not a right," Carter says.

"You look at the greats of the game who never finished on that high, Phil Waugh, George Smith, I’m not saying we’re on their level but it just shows; to win a grand final in sport in your last game is very special."

And it would mark the end of a great chapter in a very special friendship.

It is rare for two players to have played so many games together, but unheard of for lifelong friends to reach Super Rugby level and win six first grade Shute Shield premierships together before retiring at the same time.

Carter, the most polarising player in Waratahs’ history, brought the room to its feet at NSW’s end of season presentation last week with his farewell speech.

"Looking at Tom’s career, I’ve never met someone who worked so hard on their game," Davidson says.

"Training-wise, reviewing footage – the amount of hours he has poured into it is phenomenal. It makes him, and others around him, better."

Carter finished his 10-year career with the Waratahs as their 18th most capped player, and among their top 10 all-time Super Rugby try-scorers.

Yet he has endured criticism throughout for his fiery mannerism on the field, most notably when former Wallaby Greg Martin described him last year as "a fairly ordinary conveyance” who was disliked by all but his teammates.

A Facebook page titled “Tom Carter. Biggest joke in rugby union” has attracted more than 600 likes and numerous disparaging comments about the centre.

But Carter’s best mate can only smile.

"That’s the way Tom plays, that’s his edge," Davidson says.

"In this game you don’t have much time to find out what works for you and what doesn’t.

"People start talking to me and bagging Tom, and I just listen, and then they ask if I know him.

"I say ‘Yes, he is my best mate, I have known him all my life and he is the only person I would trust with my future children’.

"It’s funny to watch them start back-tracking.

"The people who say those things about Tom have never actually met him. Have a couple of conversations with him before you pigeon-hole him."

It is a testament to their friendship that after this interview, Davidson sent a text message to reiterate his feelings.

"I forgot to say that in the 30 years I have known Tom he hasn’t changed from the first day we met.

"I respect him greatly because of that and the fact he hasn’t tried to be someone he is not despite the criticism he has been subject to.

"It takes great courage to do that."

Then hours later, a text message bobs up from Carter, who says: "Just in case you didn’t know the exact record, Davo has captained Uni 125 times at a 91 per cent winning record, as astonishing achievement".

Davidson, who started his Super Rugby career at NSW, played for Western Force and then became club captain of Melbourne Rebels, will likely go down as the most successful Shute Shield captain of all time.

His seven premierships for Uni in the last eight years will take some beating.

"Rugby is a brutal game, and you've got to stick your head in dark places," Carter said.

"When you're in the trenches you want Davo beside you."

Davidson will return to the family farm once he has played his last game, helping his father crop wheat, granola and barley and tend sheep on the 6000-acre property.

Carter, expecting his first child in February, has a less certain future.

"You do something for so long, and it is the only thing you have ever wanted to do, and then suddenly it comes to an end," Carter says.

"This is the hardest part of my life. I feel like I’ve got to start all over again."

Today Carter and Davidson will take the field, glancing at each other before the whistle blows, with the finish line in full view.

No handbrakes.