Franks ready to sign new deal
Owen Franks has provided New Zealand rugby with a boost upon arrival in Chicago, indicating he will soon ink a two-year contract extension.
Largely overshadowed in the furore around Aaron Cruden’s potential departure to France next year was Franks’ similarly lucrative pulling power abroad.
Tighthead prop may not be a glamour position, certainly not when compared with Cruden’s first five-eighth duties.
To the average punter what happens in the dark arts of the front row remains a relative mystery. But when it comes to rugby wages in Europe, Franks is exactly the sort of player who could command top dollar. And that’s why he’s been heavily targeted by several suitors.
Fortunately for the All Blacks, Franks doesn’t yet fancy taking his damaging shoulders elsewhere and joining the likes of former Blues prop John Afoa or Italy’s Martin Castrogiovanni on at least $1 million per-season in the UK.
‘‘We’ve been talking for a while but I’m pretty hopeful of getting a deal done soon with New Zealand to go through to the next World Cup,’’ Franks told the Sunday StarTimes.
Franks’ intent to hang around until the end of 2019 will be a major relief for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
Blues tighthead Charlie Faumuina, second in line to Franks, is set to make the move to French club Toulouse after next year’s
We've been talking for a while but I'm pretty hopeful of getting a deal done soon with New Zealand to go through to the next World Cup. Owen Franks
British and Irish Lions series.
Behind Franks and Faumuina, depth isn’t exactly bulging at the seams.
All Blacks and Blues prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is yet to convince most of his scrummaging capabilities, and the highly-touted Nepo Laulala continues to work his way back from a serious knee injury.
Franks, by contrast, has dominated the tighthead spot since Carl Hayman left to go overseas and has proven to be extremely durable in the toughest position on the paddock.
The Crusaders No 3 rarely gets injured and has also added an extra dimension to his game this year with his ability to carry the ball and pick the right pass.
The upshot is Hansen desperately wants Franks to stay on as the All Blacks’ scrum anchor.
Franks holds the record for the most tests (87) without scoring a try, and is aware he could eventually break Tony Woodcock’s 118-test record as the All Blacks’ most-capped prop. But that’s not why he wants to stay.
‘‘For me it’s not really about the caps or getting a record it’s more am I ready to leave a team like the All Blacks and go play in a different competition?
‘‘Parts of going overseas are really appealing to me and I’m sure there’ll be a time for that because it definitely interests me but I’m not sure I’m ready to leave the All Blacks environment. You’re playing alongside the best guys in New Zealand and it’s a really high performance environment.’’
The 28-year-old, who has started 77 times for the All Blacks to further emphasise his importance, also realises he is young in propping terms, and the European money on offer is not about to disappear.
‘‘There’s no rush. I’ve thought about it long and hard but if I sign a contract I’ll be 30 and just starting really.’’