Veteran hooker Dane Coles has shelved retirement plans to re-sign with NZ Rugby and the Hurricanes hope they'll soon secure the services of their other All Blacks stars - particularly halfback TJ Perenara.
At the end of this season, Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett also come off contract, but Perenara's signature has been all the talk, with his highly publicised potential move to the NRL.
Sydney Roosters have confirmed reports that they have been in discussions with the All Blacks veteran, as they look to fill their vacancy at hooker.
But Hurricanes coach Jason Holland is confident their star halfback, who's currently playing in Japan, will ultimately recommit to the franchise.
"Obviously, TJ has got some interesting offers going on, but I'm pretty sure he's pretty keen to be an All Black and a Hurricane at the moment," says Holland.
Fresh off inking his new deal to the end of 2023, Coles - a "huge" fan of rugby league - was torn on the prospect of his teammate switching codes.
"I'm a real passionate league fan and it'd be awesome to see him have a crack," Coles says. "The guy is made for league - he's tough, he's fit, he's skilful.
"As much as I’d love to see him back in rugby, if it's a six-month gig for the Roosters, I don't know if many of those will come in your lifetime.
"But then at the same time, you put your rugby hat on, you don't want to lose a guy like that.
"He'd be awesome. He's real competitive, he's got a bit of niggle in him, so he'd definitely suit the league style."
Coles insists he has no inside information on which way Perenara may go with his decision.
"I haven't spoken to him," he says. "It's up to him and his family, but he’d be awesome.
"I don't know. Like me he's got a young family, he's a Porirua boy… I'm 50-50. I haven't heard anything, no changing room chat."
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