Nehe 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-rugby World Cup.

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 long shot 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 a 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