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The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has reportedly offered All Blacks first five-eighth Daniel Carter a tailored offer that will allow him to enjoy a stint playing rugby overseas next year.
If he accepts, Carter is set to become the first All Black to be allowed a "sabbatical"
on a short-term offshore contract or to take a rest while remaining signed to the NZRU and eligible to represent his country.
The world class No 10 has been linked to multi-million dollar moves to French clubs Toulouse and Toulon but the NZRU is desperate to keep one of the game's biggest drawcards on its books.
NZRU professional services manager Neil Sorenson said the union met Carter's representatives over the weekend.
Sorenson wouldn't reveal details of the discussions but various New Zealand media outlets today reported the 26-year-old had been offered the chance to travel offshore and return to New Zealand in time for the home tests in June next year.
Currently NZRU rules dictate that players must play in the preceding domestic competition to be considered for the All Blacks.
However, the board has the right to waive that under extraordinary circumstances, meaning Carter would not be required to suit up for the Crusaders in next year's Super 14.
The sabbatical option would only be employed in contract negotiations for New Zealand's marquee players, Sorenson added.
"We would say the top half dozen is the number we'd be offering this to," he said.
"We're not going to treat a top-line world class All Black as we would treat an Air New Zealand Cup player."
Sorenson said it was a balance not to upset Super 14 franchises or rugby's sponsors and supporters.
A new tactic proposed at NZRU board level just last week to combat an increased player drain, it allows players to earn a large salary offshore while enjoying a cultural change.
Other action taken by the union includes a complete review of the competition structure in New Zealand to make it more attractive for players to remain at home.
Carter has plenty of time to make his decision, with his current NZRU contract expiring at the end of the year.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said Carter would be given space to make a decision.
"We would like to settle it as soon as Dan is ready to make a decision but he must really drive that timetable because we don't want to put any more pressure on him that he's already got," Tew told The Press newspaper.
"We will let his decision-making take its course. It's not just about him, it's about his partner Honor (Dillon) as well."
Neither Carter nor his agents from the Auckland-based company Global Sports Management are commenting.
"It is something we think might work for Dan," Tew said.
"It's not unusual in other industries, so we are going to put that on the table for some guys we think it might work for. Maybe we have to tailor our offers for the individual."
- NZPA