Shaun Stevenson’s exit from New Zealand is not yet a done deal, according to a latest report.
On Monday, journalist James McOnie took to X, formerly Twitter, to claim that the Chiefs full-back had signed a contract to overseas ahead of next season.
According to McOnie, Stevenson has agreed a deal to feature for Kubota Spears in Japan Rugby League One in the 2024/25 campaign, which starts later this month.
“Bit of a rugby bombshell. Fullback Shaun Stevenson is leaving the Chiefs to play for Kubota in Japan, effective immediately,” his post read.
“He’s 28 and because he played his only test for the All Blacks last year, Stevenson will be eligible for Samoa at the next Rugby World Cup.”
Move not guaranteed
However, there is a slight twist as the New Zealand Herald are reporting that while the talented back is determined to leave, there is no guarantee that he will be allowed to go.
The 28-year-old is currently contracted to the Chiefs until the end of 2025 and he will need to negotiate an early release in order to sign for Kubota.
According to the Herald, the governing body are worried that letting him go before his contract expires would set a “dangerous precedent.”
NZR have previously allowed departing players to exit their contracts early, but this is a different scenario whereby an individual is asking to be released in order to sign elsewhere.
For example, Harry Plummer will complete the Blues’ Super Rugby campaign but will then move to Clermont Auvergne in July after being excused from NPC duty.
Chief executive of the governing body, Mark Robinson, was asked about Stevenson’s future on Tuesday, but he would not be drawn on the matter.
“We always want to keep as many of the best possible players in New Zealand for as long as possible but at a certain stage you have to recognise they have careers and they’ve got choices they’ve got to make,” Robinson said.
“We had a fantastic crop coming through with the Under-20s last year, winning their Rugby Championship and performing well at the World Cup.
“It’s hard to deny there’s an incredible crop of young All Blacks coming through, many of which played their first year this year. Overall we think we’re in good shape as it relates to emerging talent but it’s always something we’re assessing.”
Only cap
Should Stevenson get his wish, however, that would end his chances of adding to the one All Blacks cap he earned in 2023 against the Wallabies.
The talented back has consistently been one of the form players in Super Rugby but that has not translated into international appearances.
Previous boss Ian Foster was often reluctant to select Stevenson – until he finally relented ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup – and new head coach Scott Robertson has followed suit.
All Blacks back makes ‘bombshell’ move ‘effective immediately’ after Scott Robertson snub
He was selected for the second-string All Blacks XV for their games against Munster and Georgia in November, but the speedster failed to make the main New Zealand squad in 2024.
Rugby league links
Stevenson has previously been linked with a move to the NRL but that was taken off the table when he re-signed with New Zealand Rugby in October 2023.
However, in an interview in March of last year, he revealed that he would be open to a code switch and his likely departure from the Chiefs could well reignite that speculation.
“In terms of keeping your options open, like any player, the world’s your oyster,” Stevenson told Stuff.
“If you want to go give it a crack, you give it a crack, if you want to go over to Japan, you go over to Japan, or if you want to stay in New Zealand and chase the black jersey it’s totally up to you. So we’ll see what happens.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/fresh-twist-as-all-blacks-bombshell-move-hangs-in-the-balance-over-dangerous-precedent
