Nehe’s contract in doubt
Former All Blacks and Hurricanes winger Nehe MilnerSkudder is in limbo at Toulon amid reports his lucrative threeyear contract with the French club could be torn up because of further injury concerns.
Milner-Skudder was a star of the 2015 Rugby World Cup the All Blacks won in England but the 28-year-old has been plagued by injuries since. He did not play a minute of Super Rugby last season, ruling out his chances of playing at this year’s World Cup in Japan.
His deal with Toulon was confirmed last December but French outlet L’Equipe report that Milner-Skudder, who has played 13 tests for the All Blacks, could be ditched for star Wales fullback Liam Williams.
While Milner-Skudder has signed with Toulon, his contract has not yet been approved by France’s Top 14 league and it will be conditional on him passing a medical examination.
L’Equipe report that Toulon could cancel Milner-Skudder’s contract to free up funds for Williams, who plays for Saracens in England.
The salary cap scandal, where Saracens this month received a huge fine and were docked 35 points in the English Premiership, means Williams could potentially be among some of their top players let go.
That could be bad news for Milner-Skudder after he arrived in France still struggling with a shoulder problem after surgery in June.
His breakout season in 2015 saw him rewarded with a place in the World Cup squad and a starting berth on the right wing that season. An ability to use speed and nifty footwork was rewarded by the national selectors and he scored eight tries in eight tests, earning the World
Rugby breakout year award.
But injuries have meant he has played only five more tests
player
of
the
since the 2015 tournament, while limiting his involvement in Super Rugby.
Milner-Skudder’s last
All
Blacks test was against Japan in Tokyo last year and he suffered another shoulder injury in that game.