Dan Carter could be the NSW Waratahs’ worst nightmare against the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super Rugby final

YOU might be familiar with this man’s steamy topless photo shoots, but he has other talents as well, and they could be about to sink the nation.

This hunk is our worst nightmare

IT’S almost impossible to dislike Dan Carter. Almost.

The Kiwi’s talents with a rugby ball are surpassed only by his manners. In a career spanning 12 years, Carter has quietly dominated every opponent in front of him without saying or doing anything remotely scandalous. Unless you count a few provocative photo shoots in his undies.

10 years as Jockey ambassador. Dan Carter we all thank you 😜 pic.twitter.com/mKkvKBu8qN

— Irene Watt (@PinkRugby) August 31, 2013

my #mancrushmonday goes to Dan Carter, Rugby Player for New Zealand, and thank you Jockey Underwear wow pic.twitter.com/T8HnXG6HIN

— Patrick G Pettis (@pgpfineart) July 8, 2013

Nevertheless, Carter will be an unpopular man tonight. The NSW Waratahs, otherwise known as the serial underachievers of Australian rugby, are one win away from their first Super Rugby title, and Carter is their biggest obstacle.

MORE: Your ultimate guide to the Super Rugby final

Since the provincial competition started in 1996, the Waratahs have reached two finals. They lost both to Carter’s team, the Canterbury Crusaders.

It could be different this time. In fact, it should be different this time. The Waratahs finished on top of the Super Rugby ladder this season, with the best attack and defence in the tournament. The final is in Sydney. Everything is in their favour.

Dan Carter of the Canterbury Crusaders prepares to kick a penalty against the Coastal Sharks during the Super 15 rugby union semi final between the Canterbury Crusaders and the Coastal Sharks at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on July 26, 2014 AFP PHOTO / Fiona GOODALL

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 28: Dan Carter of the Crusaders looks to pass with Tom Taylor in support during the round 17 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium on June 28, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

But then there’s Carter. Over the last decade, the Crusaders’ playmaker has compiled the most impressive scoring record in the history of rugby, racking up 1,442 points in Tests for New Zealand. He’s won three Super Rugby titles, eight Rugby Championships and 11 Bledisloe Cups.

The point I’m making is that Carter’s teams tend to win. A lot.

MORE: Waratah revs up teammates with ... a poem?

“Mentally, my motivation is a lot higher than it normally is midway through the season, so that’s a real positive,” Carter said yesterday, as though we weren’t scared enough of him already.

“It’s been a few years since the last time (we won the title), so this team is really hungry and excited and the fact that we’re in the final, we’ve given ourselves a chance.”

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Israel Dagg and Dan Carter of the All Blacks celebrate a try by Dagg during The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand at ANZ Stadium on August 18, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Michael Hooper (R) of the Waratahs celebrates with Kurtley Beale (L) after a heavy tackle on Jesse Mogg of the Brumbies during the Super Rugby Semi Final match between the Waratahs and the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on July 26, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Why is Carter so dominant? There are several reasons, and if NSW is to win tomorrow night, it needs to deal with all of them.

1. His left foot is absurdly accurate;

2. His right foot is absurdly good at sidestepping;

3. His right hand is absurdly good at pushing away defenders;

4. His left hand is absurdly good at passing;

5. His brain is absurdly good at outsmarting opponents;

6. His torso looks absurdly good in topless photo shoots ... apparently.

OK, that last one probably isn’t relevant. But otherwise, Carter was designed to play rugby.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 25: Dan Carter of the All Blacks holds up the Bledisloe Cup following The Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park on August 25, 2012 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 20: Dan Carter and Richie McCaw of the All Blacks during the Haka during the Bledisloe Cup match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium on October 20, 2012 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

He isn’t the only threat on the Crusaders’ team sheet, which also includes such illustrious names as Richie McCaw, Kieran Read and Israel Dagg. But ultimately, Carter will be the one orchestrating the Waratahs’ downfall, and that is undeniably bad news.

He has beaten NSW in a final twice before. Is the world’s most prolific player about to do it again?

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MARCH 26: Dan Carter of the New Zealand All Blacks and Laureus World Team of the Year nominees during a press interview ahead of the 2014 Laureus World Sports Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel on March 26, 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Laureus)