Rugby: Malakai Fekitoa could stay in NZ after all

Malakai Fekitoa. Photo / Getty Images.

All Black Malakai Fekitoa will probably leave New Zealand this year, and probably for Toulon, but his agent says the midfielder hasn't signed a contract yet and could in fact stay.

The Herald reported yesterday that Fekitoa, 25, had agreed to move to the French club but was having second thoughts, but his agent Craig Innes has insisted the Highlanders player hadn't signed anything.

"He hasn't actually signed a contract and he hasn't agreed to anything," Innes said.

"Nothing has been sent back to Toulon. I'm not denying that there have been talks [with other clubs] but he is going through a process."

Asked whether it was a possible that Fekitoa could sign a new contract with New Zealand Rugby, Innes said: "At this stage anything is a possibility.

"I can't say anything more than that at this stage."

Innes added that should Fekitoa leave, he would do so after playing for Auckland in the national provincial championship.

Fekitoa, who has played 24 tests for the All Blacks after making his debut in 2014, wasn't included in Steve Hansen's squad for the Lions series but was called in for the third test after Sonny Bill Williams' suspension, which came on top of Ryan Crotty's hamstring injury.

He made the decision to seek opportunities offshore on the basis of his disappointment, but, after playing 14 minutes off the reserves bench at Eden Park on Saturday, is understood to be caught between an ambition to make better money at a relatively young age and a desire to further his All Black career.