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Some good news for our Kiwi TWFers I'm sure!
McCaw to remain in New Zealand in 2008
by Reuters - Today
All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw has ended speculation about a possible move to Europe after the Rugby World Cup by saying he will remain in New Zealand next year.
McCaw’s contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union runs until the end of the World Cup and delays in signing a new deal prompted reports he may follow some of his teammates and join a European club.
But asked if he would be playing in New Zealand next year, the flanker told reporters: “Yup. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will get sorted out.
“Ideally it would have been sorted out by now, but we’ve got people at home to keep an eye on that.”
The 26-year-old, who is rated as the best openside flanker in the world, is reported to earn in the region of 500,000 euros ($A833,819) a year with his All Blacks salary and endorsements.
Several of McCaw’s teammates have opted to move to European clubs after the World Cup, meaning they would not be available for selection under present All Black policy.
Europe is a favoured destination for southern hemisphere players in search of a lucrative contract as they near the end of their careers, but New Zealand are worried by the new trend that has seen younger players such as Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger move to the northern hemisphere.