Chiefs and North Harbour star Shaun Stevenson has confirmed mutual interest in a crosscode switch to play in the NRL.
Stevenson, 25, was a standout at fullback for Harbour in the NPC and a glaring omission from the All Blacks XV named to tour Europe.
He is contracted with the Chiefs until the end of the 2023 season, but he reveals NRL newcomers the Dolphins, coached by rugby league legend Wayne Bennett, have reached out.
"Yeah, I've had a chat," Stevenson told Sky Sport's Aotearoa Rugby Pod. "That was obviously for after 2023, but I have had a call from Wayne.
"Pretty nerve-wracking, because he's probably arguably the best league coach of this generation, so obviously, it's a bit daunting, but it was cool. We chatted for a bit and it was good to just have a chat with the GOAT [Greatest Of All Time]."
Stevenson's versatility would no doubt be appealing to Bennett and the rest of the NRL, after also playing on the wing and at first-five.
He sees himself as a fullback or a running No.6 in the NRL, and admits many of his teammates have pondered making the switch to rugby league.
"There were about 24 of us at the Chiefs this year that were playing in the NRL fantasy and it's obviously one of those sports that you would love to give a crack," Stevenson said.
"It is an option after 2023. It will be one of those things for me where I feel like my skillset would suit it and playing touch, tag back in the school days - it's similar to that.
"It's just one of those things that quite a few boys want to give it a crack, they talk about it, but never do... but never say never."
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Canterbury v Wellington NPC final
