The Rugby Roundtable

The New Zealand rugby calendar could be up for an overhaul. All Black Captain Richie McCaw says, too much time away from home and the intensity of touring are factors in All Blacks accepting lucrative foreign contracts. Players association Boss Rob Nichol says commitments to Super 14, All Black and provincial teams are also wearing players down. Nichol says European clubs offer players one cohesive management and leadership structure to follow.

Julian Huxley has not ruled returning to rugby. Capped 7 times by the Wallabies the 28-year-old pulled out of this year’s Super 14 after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The mostly benign tumour has been removed from Huxley’s head and now Australia’s 2006 rookie of the year says he’d like to take the field once more. Surgeons say a comeback might be risky, but Huxley says surgeons always err on the side of caution.

New Zealand has drawn a tricky pool at the London sevens. Facing Argentina, Wales and newcomers Moldova, the Kiwis need to make it to the semi finals to take the series outright. The London sevens happens this weekend at Twickenham.

Dan Carter is thought to have been offered 1.9 million dollars for one season in Toulouse. The salary would be the highest ever paid to a rugby player and includes a black Ferrari and silk toilet paper embossed with gold.

For the Rugby Roundtable, I’m Gilbert Dropkick.