Coach keen to lay out welcome mat

Tom Walsh’s coach believes rugby could pave the way for top international athletes to be lured to New Zealand to provide much-needed competition in Olympics year.

Dale Stevenson, who coaches both Walsh and emerging Kiwi hammer throw star Lauren Bruce, told Stuff he’s hopeful some of the heavyweights of world shot put, among others, will find their way to New Zealand during the southern summer, providing the right arrangements can be put in place around the border.

That’s where Stevenson looks with some hope around what the Government has been able to expedite for the Wallabies ahead of the Bledisloe Cup series against the All Blacks.

With Athletics New Zealand bosses now expecting the bulk of Tokyo Olympics team to undertake preparations, and even attempts at qualifying, from this part of the world, getting select international athletes to come Down Under this summer could form an important part of that.

Though Stevenson says Walsh is planning on an overseas component of his buildup for Tokyo, they would value the presence of international competition over the back part of the Kiwi summer – especially with the world indoor championships rescheduled for Nanjing, China, from March 19-21.

The same could be said for Walsh’s peers, such as shot put veteran Dame Valerie Adams and pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, as well as rising hammer throw contenders Bruce and Julia Ratcliffe.

‘‘It’s feasible,’’ said Stevenson on the prospect of world-class athletes launching Olympic year preparations in this part of the world.

That could extend across a number of other disciplines.

‘‘I think pretty much everyone in the world would trip over themselves to be in New Zealand right now, athlete or not,’’ Stevenson said. ‘‘It won’t be a hard sell to get athletes here from around the world. It’s a real carrot we can dangle.

‘‘As to how feasible it is, that’s out of our hands at this stage. But it won’t be for lack willpower from our end.’’