Milner-Skudder eyes All Blacks swansong

Nehe Milner-Skudder is done. But he’s not done. If you know what he means.

The 28-year-old Hurricanes and All Blacks back-three player has made the big decision to take up a three-year deal with megaspending French club Toulon from the 2019-20 season – joining a mass exodus of seasoned internationals post-RWC.

However, he has unfinished business in New Zealand rugby first and, well, given as it’s World Cup year his sights are set on one more tilt at the global crown. Yes, it’s a longshot after injuries derailed his test career before it had barely got going, but he feels he owes it to himself, and his country, to give it one last crack.

‘‘My contract officially starts in December,’’ he said of his Toulon commitments. ‘‘It depends on what happens, and obviously there’s a bit going on in that July-December window. It’s a big goal of mine, but I need to put my best foot forward with the Canes, play some good footy and see what unfolds from that.’’

Does he feel that door remains open?

‘‘I’m contracted till the end of 2019, and I’m available for selection. But I’ve got to be playing good footy to push my case and earn a spot.’’

You can’t blame him for wondering. Nobody, least of all Milner-Skudder, figured he’d be part of the 2015 All Blacks’ run to an historic title repeat in England, so he’s well aware that at the biggest event in his sport, fairytales can come true.

‘‘It was a whirlwind, a huge year,’’ he told Stuff at yesterday’s post-Super Rugby season launch media session. ‘‘The rookies here, I was in their shoes four years ago, and wouldn’t have imagined the year would unfold the way it did and even dreamed about playing in the All Blacks, let alone a World Cup.

‘‘It feels like in a distant past, but it’s something I can reflect on every now and again, and it does bring a smile to my face because it was such an enjoyable time.’’

Milner-Skudder burst on to the New Zealand scene in 2015, making such a fine fist of his rookie campaign with the Hurricanes that he was soon tucking away his All Blacks debut (against the Wallabies in Sydney), and emerging as firstchoice right wing for the World Cup. He was also named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year.

It is fair to say it has not been the same since. Milner-Skudder played eight tests in 2015 and was starting No 14 for three of the All Blacks’ four World Cup pool matches, and all three knockout clashes.

But he has played just five tests since after a succession of shoulder injuries decimated his career. Even now, with Super Rugby kickoff little more than a week away, he’s taking the final cautious steps back from another setback suffered playing for the All Blacks against Japan last November.

It’s fair to say he has learned to be philosophical about the toll injuries have taken on his career.

‘‘At the time you get injured you think ‘what’s the world coming to?’ You get in a real crappy headspace. But now I think it is what it is, and it’s made me the person I am. All those setbacks have shaped me into being mentally tougher and able to cope with adversity.’’

Milner-Skudder said the decision to head to Toulon was one that he agonised over, for all the common-sense it made.

‘‘I only had to look at my date of birth to compare my age to some of the younger boys coming through, and realised it’s probably a good time. I always had on the cards I’d have a look and see what the options were out there.

‘‘I was fortunate to pick up a gig with Toulon which I’m excited about. .’’

‘‘I’m contracted till the end of 2019, and I’m available for selection.’’ Nehe Milner-Skudder