Hilgendorf unlikely to get Taranaki clearance says Mitchell

Taranaki's Jimmy Hilgendorf scores against Canterbury in September. Ross Land / Getty Images

NEW PLYMOUTH - Taranaki fullback James Hilgendorf is unlikely to get a clearance from new Super 14 side the Western Force to return for next year's expanded NPC rugby competition.

Western Force and former All Blacks coach John Mitchell said from Perth that Hilgendorf appeared to be suffering from an overload of rugby in recent seasons and was likely to have an enforced break after the Super 14.

Hilgendorf has mixed playing for Taranaki with stints in both Australia and Italy in the past two seasons - a rugby diet that Mitchell believed was too much for the 23-year-old.

He has made 14 appearances for Taranaki, scoring seven tries, including five in 2004.

"Jimmy is struggling a bit physically, having played a lot of rugby in a lot of countries in the last two years and he is burnt out," Mitchell said.

"He's carrying a lot of niggly injuries and his pre-season has had to be about rehabilitation and getting a thirst or appetite back for playing at this level."

Mitchell said he would not totally rule out Hilgendorf returning to Taranaki.

"I can't really declare that at this moment but the indicators are that he needs a serious reloading to be able to cope with ongoing football."

Hilgendorf's likely exclusion would be another blow for Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley, who just weeks ago lost Samoan winger Sailosi Tagicakibau to English club London Irish.

Crowley, who has yet to announce any significant back signing for the Air New Zealand Cup, has also lost halfback James King to Tasman, although former Taranaki halfback Brendan Haami has re-signed.

The news for 2004 Taranaki player of the year Brock James, who is also a member of the Western Force, was brighter.

Plagued by injuries since last appearing for Taranaki, Mitchell said James was starting to progress well within the squad.

"He's looking really good and it's obvious this means a lot to him," he said.

"He's been seeking this opportunity since his first NPC in New Zealand."

Crowley said he had only had brief discussions with Mitchell since he took up the Perth-based job.

Despite that, Mitchell declared a willingness to help out the man who served as one of his All Blacks selectors in 2002 and 2003.

"I always like to help out Kieran. I respect him immensely, and I'm really pleased that he is back in a New Zealand selection role as the New Zealand under-19 coach - he'll do that well," Mitchell said.

"My first priority is what is best for Rugby WA (Western Australia) and Western Force and that will be determined by board policy on who we let go over there and who we keep here in terms of our ongoing preparation."

- NZPA