Clermont discard their All Black star
TRANSFER NEWS: World Cup winner Isaia Toeava will leave French Top 14 club, Clermont, at the end of the season, the former New Zealand full-back said on Wednesday.
Toeava, 34, who lifted the Webb Ellis trophy with the All Blacks in 2011, has scored 11 tries in 64 appearances since heading to the Stade Marcel-Michelin four years ago.
He said he was told by coach Franck Azema last weekend the outfit had chosen against extending his contract.
“I had a meeting with Franck on Sunday, after the game, and unfortunately for me, my time is over at Clermont so this is my last year in Clermont,” he told AFP.
“I’m just going to try and enjoy it and hopefully we can put in some solid performances and hopefully we can win the championship before I leave the club. My future at Clermont is finished,” he added.
The former Blues playmaker, who also has had spells with Japanese Top League outfits, said he would be open to continuing his career.
“It’s something I have to talk to my family about especially my wife,” he said.
“Before I make the decision I have to talk to them. France has a nice culture, I enjoy it here, we will just have to see what the family thinks.”
With Toeava departing and England international Nick Abendanon also set for the exit, newspaper Midi Olympique reported on Wednesday that Clermont had signed Japan wing Kotaro Matsushima, a stand-out performer at last year’s World Cup, as a replacement in the back three.
Clermont travels to Harlequins this weekend and a victory in London could clinch a home quarter-final tie in the European Champions Cup.
