Jeff Wilson and Mils Muliaina are concerned that the rumours surrounding All Blacks and Blues star Mark Tele\u2019a is continuing a worrying trend in New Zealand.<\/b><\/p>\n
The speedster has been linked with a move to Japan on a deal which could rule him out of the 2027 Rugby World Cup equation.<\/p>\n
Tele\u2019a\u2019s<\/a> New Zealand Rugby (NZR) contract expires at the end of the season and 1News are reporting that he is set to sign for Toyota Verblitz, who are coached by Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old is therefore set to follow a number of All Blacks<\/a> stars in moving to Asia and plying their trade in Japan Rugby League One.<\/p>\n Tele\u2019a \u2018in his prime\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cTo hear the news that it looks as though Mark Tele\u2019a is going to head offshore, and he\u2019s not going to be available to the All Blacks at the next Rugby World Cup\u2026 this is the 2023 Breakthrough Player of the Year,\u201d Wilson told The Breakdown.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if we can do more to keep our players in New Zealand but this really concerns me. This guy is a superstar, not just in our game for the All Blacks but for the Blues as well \u2013 one of our great superstars.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m concerned right now, Mark Tele\u2019a I think is a huge loss if he\u2019s heading offshore, and I understand that\u2019s where things are heading.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a bit different to what we\u2019ve had before; the strength, the footwork in small spaces through the middle of the park. He\u2019s in his prime, I think he has two, three, four good years in him, but now it looks like we\u2019re going to lose that.\u201d<\/p>\n Although NZR have been boosted by Damian McKenzie\u2019s re-signing recently, other players are putting the prospect of greater financial riches abroad above their international ambitions.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m concerned about that because there are guys in similar situations: Shannon Frizell, Richie Mo\u2019unga. I know Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku is coming home but he went away, he decided he wanted to go overseas,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had Damian McKenzie go away for a couple of years. Obviously, we\u2019ve got players [in Japan] who could still play for the All Blacks \u2013 Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane.\u201d<\/p>\n