Christie keeps his options open

Scotland or New Zealand?

It’s a tricky question for the Hurricanes’ Scotland-born, New Zealand-raised (from the age of seven) halfback Finlay Christie, and one he prefers to have a bob each way on.

It’s not just about his nation of choice in international rugby, but also where the 23-year-old might play his domestic rugby after his Hurricanes contract finishes at the end of the season.

He remains undecided, with even those closest to him in the dark. ‘‘I’ve been getting that a lot from the parents and whatnot at the moment,’’ he said of his playing future.

‘‘As of now I’m just taking it week by week and do what I can to put my hand up for selection. I try to go into each week doing the best that I can and nail the little things I do as a player.’’

It’s a hard one for Christie.

He has learned plenty from TJ Perenara over the last year and a bit at the Hurricanes since his switch from the Chiefs, but All Blacks mainstay Perenara loves Wellington and won’t be leaving the Hurricanes until at least 2021, if at all.

So if Christie wants to start more games of rugby, he either needs Perenara to go down injured, or he has to shift teams.

With the other Super Rugby teams having buttoned-down starters, a switch to Scottish rugby wouldn’t seem out of the question, especially with the man who gave him his first Super Rugby contract, former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, now in charge of the Glasgow Warriors. ‘‘There has been a wee bit of contact,’’ Christie said of interest from overseas clubs.

‘‘But as I said I’m just trying to focus on this year and week by week trying to get in that 23, trying to play my best footy, and it will go from there really.’’

Getting over to Scotland now would seem a good career move as current Scotland starting halfback and captain Greig Laidlaw is 33 and nearing the end of his career.

Establishing himself over there by the time Laidlaw retires would give him the best chance at playing international rugby, if that’s what he wants.

While talented, it seems difficult

for him to be able to forge a path into an All Blacks jersey with Perenara, Aaron Smith, Bryn Hall and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi all above him in the pecking order and limited opportunities to impress at the Hurricanes.

When asked which country he would prefer to represent, he said he had a strong affinity to both.

‘‘It’s a tough one. Watching them on TV, whoever is winning I’ll support. It’s usually been the All Blacks. It is a tough question. I support both teams.’’

If a Scotland callup did eventuate, he would consider it.

‘‘Obviously it is an option and I am eligible, so if the opportunity did come up I’d have to think about that but I’m just focusing on the now at the moment.’’

That now is a start for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight in which he will have Perenara’s advice to call on.

‘‘He just says to go out there and pull the trigger on things. If there is a call, do it and deal with the consequences after. That’s probably the biggest thing, that mindset to go out there and just play your game.

‘‘I’ve got to focus on my things and not try to be TJ. You’ve got to be your own player and focus on all your little things going into the game so that when you do play you have the best chance of performing well.’’

‘‘I’m just taking it week by week and do what I can to put my hand up for selection.’’

Finlay Christie