Nacewa's international outlook bleak

Isa Nacewa. Picture / Brett Phibbs

The international rugby landscape appears fairly bleak for well performed Auckland utility back Isa Nacewa.

Nacewa is not eligible for New Zealand, having played a few minutes off the bench in a pool game for Fiji at the 2003 World Cup.

He has shelved plans to test the eligibility through the IRB, so in the coming weeks he will have to fight for a Super 14 position as an ineligible player for New Zealand.

Isa Nacewa says he is trying not to get too weighed down by his international limbo. He says he cannot think too far ahead, and is taking it year by year. He says he has not really thought too much about playing for Fiji again but at this stage he would not.

So Isa Nacewa appears highly unlikely to align himself with Fiji.

He plays off the bench for Auckland tomorrow night against Bay of Plenty at Eden Park.

Meanwhile the possibility that tonight's Air New Zealand Cup quarterfinal against Canterbury could be his last as coach of the Wellington side is figuring in John Plumtree's buildup to the game.

Plumtree will be based in Durban next year helping coach the Sharks in the Super 14.

He says no matter what happens tonight there will be no regrets. He says he has loved his time in Wellington and if it is his last week then he will have a beer tonight and reflect.

But if it is not he will look forward to the semifinals.

John Plumtree says he has given wing Ma'a Nonu full license to roam as he pleases in the Westpac Stadium clash.

- NEWSTALK ZB