Chiefs winger Shaun Stevenson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and the Chiefs Rugby Club have agreed to an immediate short-term release to allow Shaun Stevenson to play for Japanese side Kubota Spears. Stevenson will return to New Zealand to be available for the Chiefs for round four of Super Rugby Pacific.
It is the latest development in an intriguing rumour mill about the one-test All Black's career, which has been linked to moves to both the Dolphins and Warriors in the NRL.
NZR General Manager of Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum said the decision was a good outcome for all parties.
"We've been discussing Shaun's future for a little while and have reached a decision that balances Shaun's individual circumstances with his commitments to the Chiefs and Super Rugby. Shaun has been a professional rugby player in New Zealand for 10 years and has progressed through to the very top of our game. Throughout that time, he has been a committed Chiefs player and remains so for the upcoming season," said Lendrum in an NZR statement.
Shaun Stevenson of the All Blacksscores a try in the tackle of Andrew Kellaway of Australia during the All Black Vs Australia Bledisloe Cup, Rugby match, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand. 5th August 2023. © Copyright photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz Photo: PhotoSport / John Davidson
Stevenson shot to prominence in the 2023 season, leading many to believe he had timed his run perfectly for selection for that year's World Cup. However, All Black coach Ian Foster stuck with Beauden Barrett as his first choice fullback and left the versatile Stevenson out of his wing rotation that year. Stevenson was picked for one test, against the Wallabies in which he scored a try, but was ultimately left out of the World Cup squad.
The 28-year-old has earned 12 caps for the Maori All Blacks since 2017 and has played 95 times for the Chiefs. The next cab of the rank at fullback for Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan would appear to be Etene Nanai-Seturo, who had an outstanding campaign in 2024.
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