Scott Robertson is hopeful Crusaders and All Blacks winger Leicester Fainga'anuku chooses the black jersey over leaving New Zealand in 2024.
Fainga'anuku, 23, has been in stellar form this season - scoring nine tries already in Super Rugby Pacific sitting second to only Shaun Stevenson of the Chiefs.
That form, however, hasn't gone unnoticed abroad - with cashed-up French giants Toulon reportedly close to sealing Fainga'anuku's signature. His current New Zealand Rugby deal is up at the end of 2023.
With the Crusaders, Fainga'anuku has been part of Robertson's side since 2019 and won four of their run of six titles in six years.
That form led to an All Blacks call-up in 2022, playing twice in Ian Foster's side in a 2-1 series defeat to Ireland.
This year, though, with competition for places fierce in the outside backs, Fainga'anuku will vie with the likes of Caleb Clarke, Mark Telea, Will Jordan and the uncapped Emoni Narawa among others for a spot.
However, even with time ticking to make a decision as to what happens next, Fainga'anuku is solely concentrating on the here and now, as the Crusaders look for their seventh consecutive crown.
"I don't know my future yet," Fainga'anuku said. "My future right now is trying to win another Super [Rugby] title.
"I'm a pretty chill, laid-back guy. I'm used to offers coming in - since the day I left school.
"But, at the end of the day, for me my main focus is here, giving my all to the Crusaders.
"[As] I said, another title would be handy."
Adding another piece to the puzzle, the man tasked with getting Fainga'anuku to stay just happens to be the same man he's called coach for the last four years.
Robertson's own ascension to All Blacks head coach - succeeding Ian Foster in 2024 - gives him authority to make any promise to Fainga'anuku, as he plans for what his own national side will look like.
And with Fainga'anuku able to cover midfield as well as the wing, Robertson makes no bones about wanting to see him hang around for many years to come.
"I'd love for him to stick around," said Robertson. "He's something different to what we've got in our team [and] in a lot of teams.
"He can push into 13 and even to 12. There's a bit of Ma'a Nonu about him with that power… He's got all of that skill set."
As for the race for this year's All Blacks jersey, Robertson would like to see Fainga'anuku's form and consistency at the Super Rugby level rewarded with a ticket to France for the world cup.
That equation is made more appealing for Foster and co, given Sevu Reece's absence to a knee injury and ruled out for the rest of the year.
"His consistency is All Black level, for sure," Robertson said.
Away from the Crusaders, Robertson is now walking an interesting line. Even as head coach of the Crusaders, Robertson has to play a role in convincing players to stay put in New Zealand, as clubs from Japan and Europe circle.
And while many All Blacks have already re-committed, those still unsigned - like Fainga'anuku - have a choice to make.
Robertson, though, is confident he can play a part in keeping New Zealand's best and brightest at home.
"I've got great relationships with all the players. I can have good conversations, deep conversations about what it means to stay or to head away.
"Fortunately, playing overseas myself, [I know] the pros and cons. And then the relationship with our agents as well is really important.
"It's the full package, but I'm across all of it."
