Taufua stays with Crusaders

The money on offer to Jordan Taufua from afar would most likely have matched the salaries earned by some CEOS in New Zealand.

Loose forward Taufua, who has re-signed with NZ Rugby and the Crusaders until 2019, could have really coined it if he had elected to accept one of several approaches from offshore clubs.

Everyone knows the wealthy outfits up north have cash to throw about, and with the World Cup to be played in Japan late next year the market is buzzing with agents seeking to tie down deals for southern hemisphere players.

Instead Taufua, 26, has elected to stay put. His reasons are sound; family, friends and a goal to play 100 games for the Crusaders.

It’s an admirable stance and one greeted with enthusiasm by the Super Rugby title holders and NZ Rugby, who accept they cannot afford to stand idle while the layer of so-called second-tier of players is gutted by overseas raiding parties. But given he has signed for just one more season, you do wonder if he is now in the twilight of his career in Kiwiland.

Although Taufua hasn’t represented the All Blacks, the uberaggressive back rower would have been a good buy for a team wanting a disciplined operator who goes by the name of The Beast.

All Blacks first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga will join English premiership club Wasps on a deal reported to be worth around $1 million a season, and another All Black and Crusaders team-mate Seta Tamanivalu will head to France later this year to be paid around $800,000 a season.

Given maximum retainer for New Zealand Super Rugby players is $195,000, the gulf is considerable.