By CHRIS RATTUE
Rising No 8 Ron Cribb has left the door open on making a permanent move to the Crusaders.
He said yesterday that he was "living in the here and now," and had not thought too much about his future.
But the 23-year-old North Harbour forward, who some believe should be fast-tracked into the All Blacks' pack this season, does not rule out the possibility of shifting south.
The Blues stunned many observers by not using their right to include Cribb in their squad this season, allowing him to join the champion Crusaders, where he has been superb in the opening weeks.
And it raised fears that Cribb could be lost to the Blues if Canterbury - as they seem sure to do - encourage him to make his future there.
North Harbour say they have Cribb under contract for two more NPC seasons, which means he would be in Blues territory for one more Super 12 season.
Cribb said yesterday: "I've got a contract with North Harbour, although I'm not sure for how much longer it runs. After that, anything is possible.
"It is too early to say and I'm just concentrating on playing for the Crusaders."
But he wouldn't rule out a move south.
Canterbury have rolled out their legendary welcome mat and Cribb said he and fellow Harbour import Slade McFarland were thoroughly enjoying their time with the Super 12 champions, who are unbeaten after five matches, during which Cribb has scored four tries.
The Crusaders have flown Cribb's girlfriend to Christchurch and found her part-time work. They have also helped her parents to visit and are flying Cribb's father south for matches.
Cribb said he left it up to the Blues to decide where he would play this year. He turned out for two matches as a substitute for the Crusaders after joining them as an injury replacement last year, and it was widely known they wanted him back.
He put in extra off-season training - often with his mate and fellow Harbour loosie Malua Tipi - which included a lot of sprint work with athletics coach Kerry Hill.
Cribb's weight is up 3kg to 110kg, and he believes he is faster and stronger than last season.
"Naturally, you would always like to be No 1 in your home province and leaving family and friends is hard," he said.
"One of the downfalls of the Super 12 is that players don't know where they are going. All of a sudden you are told you are going here or there.
"But when I learned I was coming here it was pretty exciting, and it has been great. There is a great spirit in the team and the training under Robbie Deans and Steve Hansen is excellent - they work it so that you are always full of enthusiasm."
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