Toulon target Kerr-Barlow
All Blacks and Chiefs halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow is reportedly being targeted by French club Toulon.
French newspaper L’Equipe reported Toulon’s interest in the 25-year-old, who could join fellow Chief and All Black Aaron Cruden in leaving New Zealand Rugby for a lucrative contract in Europe.
Cruden last week confirmed he had signed a three-year deal with Montpellier, a deal worth a reported $1.2 million per season. He will leave New Zealand after the Super Rugby season.
In need of a replacement halfback for Lyon bound Jonathan Pelissie, L’Equipe reported Toulon had approached Scotland’s Greig Laidlow and England’s Richard Wigglesworth.
However, both have taken up offers elsewhere, leaving KerrBarlow as their primary target.
Should Kerr-Barlow, who has played 25 tests for the All Blacks and 67 games for the Chiefs, make the move, he would be reunited with former All Black midfielder Ma’a Nonu. Despite Aaron Smith’s late form slump last season, Smith and Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara are the top two halfbacks in the country, leaving KerrBarlow battling for game time in the black jersey.
French clubs are also trying to lure All Black fullbacks Ben Smith and Israel Dagg offshore, with some reports claiming Smith’s move to French club Pau is as good as done. before today.
‘‘My anticipation is that he will travel, provided it’s not putting him in any kind of position where he’s uncomfortable,’’ Donovan was reported as saying.
If the 23-year-old from Rotorua was still dealing with headaches or struggling with light sensitivity, he may not travel and instead join his team-mates for their away game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, Donovan added.
‘‘I’m sure he’ll come packed and ready to go (on Monday) and it’s a situation as he gets into the protocol and starts to do more things, if they find that, ‘OK, this guy’s really gonna have a hard time playing in the game,’ then maybe he wouldn’t (go).’’
OKC appear to have missed the presence of Adams, who is averaging 12 points and 7.5 rebounds in almost 30 minutes pergame this season and continues to make an increasing impact as the team’s starting centre.
The Thunder have fallen to a 25-19 with the defeats to the Clippers and Warriors, placing them seventh in the Western Conference standings at the halfway point of the NBA regular season. they departed for Utah