Crusaders silent as Mehrtens is said to be off to Quins

Andrew Mehrtens

A newspaper report saying All Blacks first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens has signed for London club Harlequins has been met by a firm no comment from the Canterbury Crusaders.

The London Times website said former Lions and England No 8 Dean Richards, the new director of rugby at Harlequins, had signed Mehrtens.

The report said Mehrtens was expected to follow Justin Marshall, his Canterbury halfback partner, who has signed with Leeds.

However, a mixture of Richards' powers of persuasion and fears that Leeds may be relegated will see Mehrtens join Harlequins, the report said.

The Crusaders are on their way home after Super 12 matches in South Africa.

A spokeswoman for the Crusaders said the team had no comment on the report.

Mehrtens said last month he would love to play against the Lions, but would seek to play overseas if he did not make the All Blacks.

"If the opportunity is no longer there [to play for the All Blacks], I still want to apply myself to the best of my abilities where I can so that will mean looking for a challenge somewhere else."

Mehrtens also said he would like the chance to live in London.

"But that probably limits my options as Glen Jackson [former Chiefs first five-eighths] is at Saracens and Alex King is at Wasps. So that leaves London Irish or Harlequins."

- NZPA