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Hansen discusses the possibility of a Fekitoa move

Getty Images/Phil Walter

Steve Hansen hopes Malakai Fekitoa stays in New Zealand but will support the centre if he opts to join Toulon.

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The 25-year-old powerhouse has been linked with a big-money move from Highlanders to France.

Wealthy Top 14 side Toulon on Wednesday released a statement to stress that they do not comment on speculation over potential new recruits.

All Blacks coach Hansen wants Fekitoa, who has won 24 caps for the world champions, to remain in his homeland but said only the player himself can decide what path to take.

He told Radio Sport: “He’s making a decision based on what’s right for him, and like all of the guys that go overseas, we don’t want them to go, but we’ve got to support them.

“If he goes overseas, we’ll support him in that.”

Uncertainty over Fekitoa’s future comes as Highlanders prepare for a Super Rugby quarter-final at Crusaders on Saturday and coach Tony Brown is in no mood to be distracted by talk of a potential exit for one of his key men.

“It’s professional rugby, there is always going to be those rumours.” he said.

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Nickers 22 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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