There are talks in New Zealand whether Fiji born, Setareki Tamanivalu and Waisake Naholo will stay on with the All Blacks or leave next year.
Both have signed one‑year deals with New Zealand Rugby this year and will be influenced to big‑money offers in 2018.
Naholo had an outstanding November tour, and in the absence of the injured Israel Dagg and Nehe Milner‑Skudder engaged in a late‑season run of test starts on the right wing.
Naholo is likely to be Steve Hansen's retention priority. With his speed, finishing ability and increasing skill over the ball, the Highlanders flyer is a potential World Cup starter on the wing.
Stuff.co is reporting that former Lelean Memorial School student, Seta Tamanivalu might be the most vulnerable. Having broken back into the All Blacks for the year‑end tour, his stock must be on the rise, even if he never saw test action in the north.
And if Tamanivalu is honest with himself he will look at all the back‑three men coming back from injury (Dagg, Milner‑Skudder, Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett), and glance across at Julian Savea looking to force his way back into the mix, and understand it's going to be a heck of a task to make the World Cup cut.
Much will depend on his patience as Tamanivalu is just 25, his mindset and, of course, the strength of any offers that come his way.
Source: Stuff.co
