Rugby isn't like football. 99% of the time, players only move clubs at the end of contracts. It's the time of year that signings get announced, and with Charles Piutau's stunning move to Ulster confirmed yesterday, here are ten other All Blacks who are out of contract that the Irish provinces may or may not be interested in.
Contract details were found here
1. Tony Woodcock
Woodcock can count himself as one of the best looseheads around. I'm not sure how feasible this move for Irish provinces would be considering the overload of Irish looseheads at the moment with Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Dave Kilcoyne, James Cronin, Callum Black and Denis Buckley. While Ulster may be an option, they have too many non Irish qualified (NIQ) players for next season as it is.
2. Brodie Retallick
The current World Rugby player of the year is out of contract at the end of the year. He would be quite a coup for any time. There haven't been many whispers about him re-signing a contract in New Zealand either, but at 23, he's expected to be at the heart of New Zealand's push for world domination over the next number of years.
Each province would love to have Retallick in their squads, but only Leinster or Ulster could afford big Brodie. Both of those provinces would have to release their current foreign imports and lock in Kane Douglas and Franco van der Merwe, and I don't think that will happen despite interest from Australia for Douglas to return.
3. Patrick Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu is essentially a younger and less experienced version of Retallick. It's just that with Sam Whitelock around, Tuipulotu has to make due with a place on the bench. Don't get me wrong, he's a super player, and is in the line of forwards that you notice all of the work he does.
He's two years younger than Retallick, and would be much cheaper. He is expected to re-sign with the NZRU although the same report said that Piutau was going to sign aswell.
4. Steven Luatua
Luatua was the fourth in the quad of Piutau, Tuipulotu and Jerome Kaino that the Blues and NZRU said were close to re-signing a deal. Kaino has since signed a three year deal while Piutau is taking his considerable talents to Ulster.
Reports in New Zealand say that Luatua has all but ruled out a move abroad, but until the contract is signed, the highly talented backrow/second row machine is available. He is one sole player that will turn Connacht into a top 4 team, or Ulster into the top tier in Europe. He's played under Pat Lam, and played with Charles Piutau. It's unlikely, but not impossible.
5. Sam Cane
The heir apparent to Richie McCaw is having his best season of rugby so far. With McCaw off contract and likely to retire, Cane is expected to become the poster boy for New Zealand no.7s.
Steve Hansen and the All Blacks obviously see something in him as he was called into the national side even when behind other players at the Chiefs. This season is the first that he's been given the Chiefs 7 jersey outright, and has taken it with both hands.
An openside of his calibre would bring Ulster to another level. Leinster have backrowers growing out their ears, Connacht are happy with Jake Heenan, while Munster have Tommy O'Donnell and are unlikely to use an NIQ spot on a backrow. Ulster are in need of backrows, but would have to work something out with their current foreign players.
6. Victor Vito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYPQ0GnpaI0
Vito has been in and out of the All Black squad recently, as the likes of Luatua, Liam Messam, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read took precedence as the 6/8 cover. This means that Vito is potentially expendable within NZRU.
Vito would be a fantastic acquisition for the top European sides like Clermont or Toulon, which means that the Irish provinces would be foolish to say no. Connacht and Ulster would be in a bigger need for a player of Vito's talents. Leinster would struggle to justify the signing with Heaslip and O'Brien around, while Munster have Copeland, O'Mahony and Stander filling Vito's positions.
7. Colin Slade
The All Blacks first five eighth is highly rated by some. Has the ability to play anywhere in the backline, although is yet to play at scrumhalf. It's nearly confirmed that Slade will definitely be leaving New Zealand, although reports in French newspapers suggest the race is firmly between Toulon and Pau.
He isn't as good as Johnny Sexton, but would provide stiff competition to Ian Keatley, Paddy Jackson, and Jack Carty. Probably one of the better outhalves available if teams want an upgrade, but with Toulon and Pau on the case there will have to be an unrealistic amount of money involved.
8. Francis Saili
It's no secret that Munster are after a centre, and that Saili is one of the names linked. Francis Saili is a twice-capped 12 who is equally comfortable at 13. He had a poor 2014, but looks to be close to getting back to his outstanding 2013 form that saw him get capped.
Saili has some pace and inventiveness about him that is almost exactly what Munster are looking for, and the sooner a deal is struck the better for Irish rugby. Ulster, Leinster and Connacht are probably all set in the centre positions for the moment.
9. Ryan Crotty
If Saili's move falls through, another Kiwi centre is also out of contract. Most Irish rugby fans may remember Crotty as that %?!# who scored the try that beat Ireland in that game in 2013.
If you can get past that, Crotty is a very good player. More of a grafter and a hardworking centre than Saili, he is similarly suited to 12 and 13 like his Blues counterpart. Crotty is more of a complete player than other hard running centres that Munster have acquired previously, but his style of play would be ideally suited to a forward orientated game if that's what was required.
Plus, he has a beard worthy of it's only parody twitter account.
10. Julian Savea
Julian Savea, aka Jonah Lomu 2.0, is the final All Black that is out of contract this year. If it's possible the best winger in the world is getting better this year, adding more to his all around game while retaining his devastating power and finishing ability. This is one player that the NZRU don't want to lose.
Wing is one position where Leinster could look to sign someone. Zane Kirchner will be out of contract this June, and Leinster might choose to bring someone in to compete with McFadden, Kearney and Fitzgerald all of which could be classed as injury.
Signing Julian Savea would be a huge coup ahead of the nouveau riche French clubs, but there are other highly talented uncapped Kiwi options available with the next Julian Savea - 19 year old Tevita Li, Lolagi Visinia and Richard Buckman all available.
