The Sonny Bill Williams signing saga took a new turn yesterday, with the All Black midfielder deciding not to sign an extension with the New Zealand Rugby Union before the World Cup.
Williams had earlier pledged to have his immediate future cleared up after the Super 15, with his 2012 allegiance lying either with the Blues or Chiefs.
Since then a number of things have changed for the Williams camp, most notably a sponsorship stand-off that has seen the NZRU refuse to allow him to endorse Pure Energy, a drinks rival to commercial partner Coca-Cola.
On the field, his star has faded slightly after a strong end-of-season tour and some brilliant early form in the Super 15. The talented second five-eighth sits a clear second behind a rejuvenated Ma'a Nonu in the All Blacks pecking order, much to the disgust of his closest confidantes, particularly boxer and prolific tweeter Anthony Mundine.
The reasons for Williams' change of heart remained vague, although he emphasised that it had nothing to do with him not making the match-day 22 in the Tri-Nations decider in Brisbane on Saturday.