Frank Pritchard wants to be an All Black

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Kiwis league player Frank Pritchard dreams of playing for the All Blacks.

NRL club Penrith is struggling to keep Pritchard - who played four tests for the Kiwis last year and was yesterday named in the squad for Friday's Anzac test - because of the salary cap.

Perth-based Super 14 franchise Western Force is understood to be considering signing the forward, should he wish to swap codes.

Pritchard said if he could not strike a new deal with the Panthers, he would have no qualms about switching to rugby.

"I'd certainly consider it if it meant playing for the All Blacks," he told the Sunday Telegraph.

"League and Penrith have done a lot for me, so it would be a hard decision to leave. But it's definitely in the back of my mind.

"The Force are pretty keen on me but if I switched to union ... I'd want to play for either the Hurricanes or Crusaders."

Pritchard, 22, is held in high regard at Penrith, but they are struggling to keep him because of salary cap constraints.

"I would like a bit more money," Pritchard said. "It means I might have to go."

Penrith general manager Mick Leary said the club was having talks with Pritchard's manager, but warned high-profile players didn't come cheaply.

New Zealand Rugby Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew said he would be interested in talking to Pritchard - if the player made the first move, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

- NZPA