All Blacks: Europe option for Muliaina

Mils Muliaina. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Outstanding fullback Mils Muliaina is the latest All Black to be linked with a move to Europe.

Muliaina will be 31 years old when New Zealand hosts the 2011 World Cup and by then could have clocked up close to 100 caps.

Although he still has a year to run on his NZRU contract, the Chiefs star told a Welsh newspaper he was already considering his long-term options.

"I'm certainly not getting any younger," he told the Western Mail.

"My rugby playing days are getting shorter and shorter. I haven't really thought about it in too much depth yet. I've still got another year left in New Zealand rugby. But to experience something different in a different part of the world is something I would certainly consider.

"I would have to start thinking about my future in the next few months or so. Contracts run out pretty fast. I will sit down with my family and plan out where we see ourselves in the next four or five years."

He had spoken to former teammates playing in the Northern Hemisphere and had received positive reports: "I spoke to Doug Howlett when we were over in Munster recently. I asked him how things were, what the differences were and whether it was harder than Super 14.

"I've spoken to Luke McAllister - who is at Sale - as well and he is loving it. "