Tuitavake's tough contract call
Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:05
All Blacks wing Anthony Tuitavake has until Friday to decide whether or not his future lies in New Zealand or abroad after the New Zealand Rugby Union finalised its deadline date.
Any New Zealand player wishing to make the move to Europe is now required to inform the NZRU by Friday, October 12 in order for them to have the chance to start finalising their squads for the 2009 Super 14 season.
What is effectively means for Tuitavake, and any other player approaching the end of their contract, is that he needs to quickly decide whether or not he too will be lured by the riches or England and France or continue his career in his homeland.
The player has not ruled out a big-money move but, from the sounds of it, should he be able to agree the right deal, is leaning towards staying in New Zealand.
"There's the possibility [of going overseas] but I love the New Zealand rugby culture and I love the All Blacks," Tuitavake told the Sunday News newspaper.
"I hope everything goes well, so I can stay here and enjoy this."
The 26-year-old admits that the prospect of a New Zealand tour at the end of the year will play some role in his thought process, but says ultimately the decision will not be his to make.
"That does help," he revealed. "But at the end of the day, I think the family is going to make the call and whatever call my Dad makes I'll go along with.
"I've got a week and now I've got no more rugby I can go away and think about things."
