Todd happy to leave the ABs behind ... for now
Japan-bound Matt Todd still has a desire to represent the All Blacks at the World Cup next year.
Come the end of the Crusaders’ Super Rugby campaign, openside flanker Todd will transfer to Japan to play for the Panasonic Wild Knights club under coach Robbie Deans.
The idea has merit. Head north on a lucrative contract, get some tutelage from the respected Deans and return to Christchurch ahead of the 2019 season.
Sacrificing the chance to add to the 14 test caps he began accumulating with the All Blacks in 2013 wasn’t a difficult decision, said Todd.
Being unavailable for the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship, and the northern tour, hadn’t quelled his desire to play at the World Cup either: ‘‘I am back in New Zealand and signed for next year. I will be available for it.’’
Richie McCaw and Sam Cane travelled to the 2015 tournament in Britain as the specialist opensiders, which meant Todd missed the cut. Cane is clearly the frontrunner to retain the No 7 jersey in 2019, leaving Ardie Savea and Todd to duel it out for the back-up spot.
By taking himself out of the All Blacks selectors’ reach for the remainder of this year, there is a danger Todd will allow Savea to cement his place ahead of him in the pecking order.
Yet Todd said he didn’t elect to go to Japan out of frustration. Despite overtaking Savea as Cane’s deputy last year, Todd decided before the June test series against France to sign with the Wild Knights. Though not picked in the original 33-man squad for the series, he was called in as injury cover and replaced Savea in the third test.
‘‘You never know how many more years your career has got in it, and when you get a good opportunity like that (in Japan) – it is not only about the rugby, it is about the whole overall experience,’’ Todd added.
‘‘When this opportunity came up, it was too good to turn down. Having Robbie Deans there as a coach, he is obviously a Crusaders legend. He played a big part in it. There is less of the unknown you are walking into, when you know the coach and you know the type of coach is.’’
The deadline for joining the Wild Knights is August 20. The All Blacks’ first Bledisloe Cup game is against the Wallabies in Sydney on August 18.
Todd doesn’t expect to be available for that game, although he left the door ajar for the national selectors if Savea hasn’t recovered from his ankle injury.
‘‘I think Steve [Hansen] said something about that – if there’s injuries or what not, we will cross that bridge when we get to it,’’ Todd said. ‘‘But at this stage I am off after Super.’’