By JIM KAYES - The Dominion Post | Friday, 8 June 2007
Whatuira, 25, who was born in Wellington and grew up in Wainuiomata with All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu, said yesterday he was keen to return home and play for Wellington.
From there he hoped to secure a Super 14 contract and push for a place in the All Blacks midfield.
"I played rugby as a second-five or centre when I was a young kid (at Wainuiomata College) and I still follow the game," Whatuira said from Sydney yesterday.
"If I do switch to rugby, Wellington is my preference."
Whatuira has talked to Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie but discounted playing for the Sydney franchise as that would rule him out of playing for the All Blacks.
"I want to play for New Zealand. It's definitely a long-term target (to play for the All Blacks) but it's the main goal for sure."
Whatuira has talked to Andrew Hore, from the New Zealand Rugby Union high performance team, about a possible switch, but no offer has been made.
His NRL club, Wests Tigers, have also said they want to retain him, though they have also yet to offer him a new deal.
"At no time was Paul ever told he was not wanted by this club," Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said. "He is a priority of ours and we want to keep him but we have to do so within the salary cap."
Whatuira, who has played 10 tests for the Kiwis, insisted he was genuinely considering switching codes.
"It's still up in the air. It's talk at the moment and I can't say what I'm doing or what I'm not doing as nothing's on the table.
"But I'm definitely genuine. I'm not just saying this to put one crowd against the other. I'm a big fan of the Hurricanes."
A spokesman for Wellington Rugby last night said they had not spoken with Whatiura.
The NZRU confirmed on May 17 it had held "very preliminary" talks with Whatuira and reiterated that position yesterday.
However, The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday that Whatuira's manager spoke to an NZRU official on Wednesday.
If he did switch to rugby, Whatuira wants to play for Wellington in this year's Air New Zealand Cup, which would make him eligible for next year's Hurricanes squad.
The Tigers are fifth on the NRL table after 12 rounds and the round- robin finishes on September 4 with the grand final on September 30. If the Tigers make the final, Whatuira would be available for Wellington from the quarterfinals of the cup competition onward.
