French move for Fekitoa denied

Malakai Fekitoa’s agent has shot down French reports claiming the Highlanders’ midfielder had signed a two-year deal with Toulon.

French media outlet Midi Olympique reported earlier this week the deal was as good as done, and would be confirmed by Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal today.

However, Bruce Sharrock rubbished claims his client had signed with the cashed up French team when contacted for comment yesterday.

‘‘Good luck to them, I don’t know what they are going to announce,’’ Sharrock said.

‘‘The French being the French, they come up with things all the time. At this stage, we don’t know what [Fekitoa] wants to do.

‘‘We’re working through a process for him and with him.’’

Fekitoa is off-contract with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) at the end of the year, and admitted earlier this season there had been overseas interest.

Unwanted by the All Blacks for the British and Irish Lions tour, Fekitoa was said to be ‘‘hugely disappointed’’.

He’s now weighing up whether to leave New Zealand at the relatively tender age of 25, or to stick around and fight to regain his black jersey.

Sharrock said there was a 50 per cent chance Fekitoa would remain in New Zealand and there was no rush to put pen to paper.

‘‘If there is an offshore option, that will be done in due course.

But, certainly, we’re still going through a process.

‘‘I’m sure everyone appreciates when someone gets to a position he’s at he will assess all of his options. Staying, going, what’s important to him. Once he works through the process, we will make some plans there.

‘‘Clearly New Zealand wants him, and he will just work through the process. But we’re in no rush,’’ Sharrock said.

The rumoured move to Toulon created excitement in France, particularly as Fekitoa would join former All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Luke Mcalister in the team.

The Highlanders will dearly want to hold on to the 23-capped All Black, whose form perhaps isn’t yet where it was at a couple of years ago, but has improved during the Super Rugby season.

The Dunedin-based franchise already has Richard Buckman and Rob Thompson, who have mostly played in the midfield with Fekitoa this season, contracted for the 2018 season.

Fekitoa isn’t the only New Zealand midfielder whose future is still up in the air.

All Blacks and Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty is yet to recommit to NZR, while fellow Crusader Seta Tamanivalu, who has mostly been used on the wing this year, is in the same boat.

Should the trio head offshore, they will join a growing list of Kiwi players heading to the northern hemisphere.

All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Charlie Faumuina, and Tawera Kerr-barlow are all leaving at the end of the year, while former All Black Steven Luatua, Chiefs wing James Lowe and Highlanders pivot Marty Banks are also leaving.