Crusader Taufua heading to Japan
Rugged Crusaders loose forward Jordan Taufua is set to play in Japan instead of returning to Tasman for their Mitre 10 campaign later this year.
Tasman chief executive Tony Lewis confirmed Taufua, currently with the Crusaders in Buenos Aires preparing to play the Jaguares on Sunday morning (NZT), will not return to the provincial union when the Super Rugby season ends.
‘‘He will seek a release and we will hope to sign him for 2019,’’ Lewis said.
‘‘It is not a bolt from the blue. I can understand where Jordan is at and we respect that.
‘‘We have known Jordan’s intentions, and that of NZ Rugby and the Crusaders. They have decided he is not available for Tasman and asked for a release and when the paperwork comes through we will grant it.’’
Taufua may not be alone in giving the national provincial competition a swerve.
Highlanders loose forward and Canterbury captain Luke Whitelock is understood to be pondering a move to a Japanese club, which would rule him out of contention for the red and blacks’ title defence.
If Whitelock, who captained the All Blacks in their mid-week match against a French XV in Lyon last year, elects to follow Taufua to Japan it is understood Canterbury have told the longserving back rower they will not stand in his way.
Another Highlanders utility back, Richard Buckman, is also understood to be mulling a stint in Japan instead of returning to Hawke’s Bay.
NZ Rugby at times allows selected players, often those who have proved loyal to their respective Super Rugby and provincial union teams over a long term, to play in Japan instead of staying for the domestic competition. Taufua, Whitelock and Buckman are established members of the New Zealand circuit, and allowing them to work in Japan has the potential to allow them to boost their income – with wages not paid by NZ Rugby – while remaining committed to Super Rugby.
It is a strategy that helps keep second-tier players in New Zealand, but is not universally popular because there is a danger that releasing such experienced men to work in Japan will compromise the integrity of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Taufua, who recently signed a one-year extension with NZ Rugby and the Crusaders, will link-up with the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars once he has fulfilled his Super Rugby obligations.
While Taufua’s fresh deal with the Dynaboars will soup-up his bank balance – he could potentially earn at least six times the $55,000 Tasman pays him – it’s a blow for the local side.