NZR attempt to get a release for Todd
There is a lot of speculation going on but there is no point in getting carried away with it and I will try not to feel any extra pressure.
New Zealand Rugby are in talks with Matt Todd and his Japanese club about a possible release for at least part of the All Blacks’ end of year tour.
Todd is contracted to the Panasonic Wild Knights, coached by former Crusaders and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Sam Cane’s serious neck injury has the All Blacks selectors looking for replacements and it’s understood they have inquired about Todd’s potential availability.
It’s hoped there will be a resolution in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Meanwhile, emergency test candidate Dillon Hunt has revealed what the All Blacks told him to work on and believes he has achieved a pass mark.
The 23-year-old Hunt has surged into prominence as All Black coach Steve Hansen contemplates how to cover for the loss of Cane, who suffered a neck fracture against South Africa in Pretoria.
With Todd’s status unclear and Blake Gibson injured, Hunt is the clear favourite to go from fringe candidate to Ardie Savea’s No 7 back-up.
But Hunt told Radio Sport the All Blacks wanted him to work on skills and become more dominant in tackles.
“You’ve always got your work-ons but I’m happy with where things are at, and the transition from Otago to North Harbour,” said Highlanders forward Hunt, who was schooled at Westlake Boys’ High School.
“It is very unfortunate for Sam [Cane]. I was with the team last year but I’m just trying to keep my head down and we’ve got a job to do this weekend.
Dillon Hunt
“There is a lot of speculation going on but there is no point in getting carried away with it and I will try not to feel any extra pressure.
“More dominance on my defence, making enough tackles but also being a bit more dominant, a bit of skill work — those messages came through form different coaches.
“I’ve been working pretty hard at those and hopefully it pays off and they see the work has been done.
“I feel I’ve made some gains in those places, and it’s a matter of getting confidence in those areas.
“It is good to play Mitre 10 Cup where you get more time and space to practice those things before potentially going to a higher level.”
Hunt said he had had little contact with the All Black coaches apart from that, and had no recent calls from them.
“We’ll get through this week and see what happens from there,” he said.