All Blacks: NZRU still wary of sharks

Dan Carter. Photo / Getty Images

They may be red herrings, but the word out of France in the past few weeks raises hope Daniel Carter is moving towards signing a contract extension to stay in New Zealand after the World Cup.

The All Black first five told the New Zealand Rugby Union late last year he wanted to test the offshore market before talking extensions.

It is understood three French clubs - believed to be Perpignan, Clermont and Toulon - indicated they would be willing to pay about €1.2million (NZ$2m) a season for the world's best first five.

By the end of the Grand Slam tour, hopes were slim within the NZRU they could keep Carter beyond the World Cup.

But in recent weeks Clermont have signed French international first five David Skrela; Perpignan have a deal with Welsh utility back James Hook thought to be worth about $1.5m a season and Toulon signed Australian play-maker Matt Giteau on a similarly valued 18-month deal.

Toulouse, having lost Skrela, are reportedly chasing Luke McAlister - all of which could be read as the French market having given up on Carter.

But while it must be tempting for the NZRU to believe the money Perpignan earmarked for Carter has been spent on Hook - no one at headquarters is being sucked in.

As far as the national body is concerned, negotiations with Carter are very much alive with French predators still circling.

It is possible, however, that recent transfer activity has eliminated some suitors.

Giteau will join Jonny Wilkinson at Toulon and they could be a formidable 10-12 combination. Carter seems unlikely to go there - three would definitely be a crowd.

Clermont could still be in the hunt but it would seem strange to acquire two international first fives and then have to keep one on the bench each week.

But Perpignan hope they can snaffle Hook and Carter, giving them arguably the two most creative players in world rugby. While Hook has a preference for No 10, he has represented Wales across the backline.

Bayonne have been mentioned despite scepticism about the real state of their finances. They made Giteau an enormous offer two years ago and were in the hunt again this time.

The only positive the NZRU are prepared to take is that Carter is still talking to them.

If he was set on leaving, an offshore deal would most likely have been struck by now. That Carter is still undecided alludes to the agonising choice he will have to make.

Europe offers life-changing money. He can sign a three-year deal, play nothing but club football, come home and never have to work again. But would he ever feel the same emotional tie to a foreign club as he does to the Crusaders and All Blacks?

Would it be a soulless procession of meaningless games in those three years where his only solace will be checking his bank account?

The New Zealand package is holistic and more complex. The money for playing is significantly less - not even half - but Carter has various commercial interests here and could launch more.

He also has endorsement value in New Zealand that he doesn't in Europe.

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says they are working hard to build in additional elements that will make staying here more attractive.

"I don't want to go into specifics but there are some things we are trying to do with senior players.

"The things that keep players here are the quality of lifestyle, the quality of competitions and coaching, the eligibility and lure of the All Black jersey and we do pay our guys well by New Zealand standards."

The prospect of winning 100 All Black caps is tempting and will also elevate Carter into legendary status which will give him earning power in New Zealand long after he has retired.