Northlanders should ready themselves to say "au revoir" to Rene Ranger as reports emerge that the Taniwha centre looks set to honour his $600,000 deal with French club Montpellier.
The 26-year-old is believed to have been trying to find a solution to allow him to stay in New Zealand after his All Blacks' career looked on the comeback. But, sadly for Northlanders, it does not look to have been successful.
All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen said even though he would have liked him to stay, it did not look good after he caught wind that Montpellier wanted $300,000 for Ranger to break his contract, RadioSport reported.
Northland Rugby Union chief executive Jeremy Parkinson was not able to shed any light on Ranger's situation, saying that if he was to leave then he would be welcomed back to Northland with open arms.
"I'd always want Ranger playing for us," Parkinson said.
"We've got Ranger signed for this year's ITM Cup, we want him playing for Northland because he's our best player.
"And, the only way he won't be playing for us is if he's with the All Blacks. If he is going to France, it'd be a substantial deal and we wish him well ... we'll welcome him back with open arms.
"[We understand that] as a professional rugby player you've only got so many years to make it. The rumours are it's a pretty good deal [with Montpellier], although I haven't heard that from Ranger himself."
The reports came after there were calls for Ranger to be promoted into the starting line-up for this weekend's test against France in Christchurch following his 15-minute impact player role last weekend.
With Ranger's return to the All Blacks three years after his debut, former All Black and fellow Northlander Ian Jones has been trying to pick who the next Taniwha will be to follow in Ranger's footsteps.
Jones, who played 79 matches for the All Blacks, has a weekly segment with the New Zealand Herald where readers send the second-rower questions. Last week, Jones was asked by Kerikeri's Dave Keen if it was exciting to see Ranger in Hansen's All Black 23. Do you see any up-and-coming Northland players coming on, or any of promise from the other smaller unions around New Zealand? Jones responded:
"I still keep a very keen interest in Northland rugby," Jones explained. "I am in the fortunate position of commentating on grassroots rugby so can follow many a promising player from his start in club rugby to their debuts in provincial rugby.
"One player to watch from Northland is your very own Jack Ram from the Kerikeri club. Derek Carpenter from Mid-Northern is another who could make the step up if given a chance. Young halfback Mac Sykes from Kamo has already proved what he is capable of, playing for Mid-Canterbury."
Parkinson applauded Jones for promoting Northland's up-and-comers, saying it was good to have people like Jones putting Northlanders names out there.
"Like I've always said, Rene epitomises everything about Northland and it's the career path the NZRU want which is anybody can grow up anywhere in New Zealand and play for a Tomarata and then a Wellsford and then Northland, and then the Blues and the All Blacks."
Northland players - Derek Carpenter, William and Jack Whetton and Rupeni Caucau - played in the Classic All Blacks side who were beaten 33-14 by Fiji in a match marking the centenary of the Fiji Rugby Union and the opening of a new national stadium in Suva on Wednesday.
Centre Nemani Nadolo, loose forward Malakai Ravulo and prop Setefano Somoca scored tries as Fiji rallied to beat the Classic ABs. Inside centre Seremaia Bai kicked three conversions and four penalties for 18 points.
The Classic ABs' points came from a try to Adam Thomson and three penalties to first five-eighths Orene Ai'i.