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Nehe Milner-Skudder's French move gets Steve Hansen's tick of approval

December 14, 2018

Milner-Skudder will join French side Toulon on a three-year deal.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has given the departing Nehe Milner-Skudder his blessing, with the versatile winger confirming he'll join French club Toulon.

Milner-Skudder, 27, has inked a three year deal with the Top 14 giants, ruling him out of next year's World Cup in Japan, effectively behind the likes of Ben Smith, Rikeo Ioane, Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks' outside backs stocks.

Speaking to media having announced his decision to leave the All Blacks after next year's World Cup, Hansen said that Milner-Skudder is leaving with his approval.

"It's important that when these guys make their decision, the first question I ask is 'have you thought about this? Have you thought about your time in the jersey?'" he said.

"All you can do it support them.

"Nehe hasn't had much luck at all in the last probably two years. He's getting a little older, so he's starting to think 'I need to make sure that I support my family, and the money's good, so I'm going to go.'"

"Again, we support him and wish him all the best. He was good enough to ring and explain to us, that's all we can ask."

Milner-Skudder will join former All Blacks teammates Liam Messam, Julian Savea and Malakai Fekitoa on Toulon's books.

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