All Black Ryan Crotty has remained coy on whether he will be heading overseas.
It is believed by RugbyPass that the Crusaders centre has already agreed a deal with Japanese Top League side Kubota Spears but he insists that he is in no hurry to discuss a deal.
“No, there’s no rush. Each year, I do it [contract] year-by-year. Once I make a decision, that will be it. But everything always comes on the back of playing well for this team here,” he said.
Crotty who has 132 caps for the Crusaders
under his belt claimed he is not looking ahead and is focusing on now.
“I’m not looking too far away. Just trying to stay and live in the moment as best I can, and enjoy what I’m blessed to be able to do,” he said.
It would be no surprise to New Zealand if
he did head overseas following the World Cup later this year, but it might be a
worry as he is only one of many names reported to have sights on leaving.
Liam Squire announced his departure to the Top League earlier this week while Owen Franks joined Northampton yesterday.
Other names that are popping up are Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jordan Taufua and Jeff Toomaga-Allan.
However, the biggest concerns for fans of
the world’s number No 1 team will be the fact that Beauden Barrett, Brodie
Retallick and Kieran Read have all been linked with moves to Europe or Japan.
In Kieran Read’s case he has spoken about
the likelihood off his international retirement post-world cup but the other
two would be major losses on the international stage.
It might mean that players such as 36-year-old Ma’a Nonu’s return to the fold might be at the perfect time as he could in fact force his way into the team.
Although the All Blacks have never had a shortage of talent, it would be a real pity if they lost such star names and leaders before they pass on their knowledge to the next generation of heroes.
