Nod from selectors sealed Oliver's decision

Anton Oliver committed himself to New Zealand rugby for two more years after getting the nod of approval from All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

Oliver, 29, sought an indication from the All Blacks selectors about his long-term future after being sidelined since May with a calf muscle injury.

The Otago and Highlanders hooker today said that "if they didn't see me in the picture I should probably take the hint and leave".

"I had a frank discussion with Graham Henry and he saw me going through to the World Cup in 2007 providing I play well enough."

Oliver yesterday re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of 2007.

The contract was signed last Friday and Oliver has set his sights on making the All Blacks' tour to Britain at the end of the year.

He emphasised he had not been given any guarantees by the All Blacks selectors.

Oliver is back running and his fitness is improving but no date has been set for his return to the Otago team.

"There is a big gap between running fitness and the wrestling and scrummaging you get in a game," he said.

He hopes to play a game for Otago B to prove his fitness before he gets back in the NPC arena.

"It won't be a 100 per cent Anton Oliver when I come back," he said.

"But I want to be able to do my bit and not let the team down."

Oliver was on the verge of quitting New Zealand rugby a year ago when he received a phone call from Henry that kept him in New Zealand rugby.

"A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then and I have now decided that my rugby future is here in Dunedin and on New Zealand shores," Oliver said.

When he was contemplating leaving last year it was because most of his university friends had left the city.

He admitted receiving several overseas offers, but had never been close to signing.

He feels he has got 50 first-class games left in him and wants to enjoy them all.

"I want to enjoy the process. You don't usually enjoy things if you look too far ahead," Oliver said.

"I want to enjoy the process."

- nzpa