Chiefs coach Ian Foster today said he couldn't comment on loose forward Sione Lauaki's reported signing for a French rugby club, because he hadn't received any confirmation about the deal.
Lauaki, who has been sidelined with a bruised and infected arm since crashing his car through a fence last month, is reported to have signed a one-year deal with powerful French club Clermont Auvergne, who are coached by New Zealander Vern Cotter.
Foster said he could not confirm nor deny the report, when he asked about it at a pre-training news conference.
"I have nothing to say because I don't know," he said.
"I'm more than happy to answer questions once it's formalised, if indeed it is formalised."
Foster said Lauaki, who will miss the Chiefs' final match of the Super 14 season against the Blues on Saturday night, was "feeling good" although his arm was still sore.
"It's been a complicated two or three weeks for him," he said.
"It hasn't been easy for him, but he's okay."
Lauaki, 28, has played 17 tests for the All Blacks, but the last of them was in September, 2008.
He is reportedly due to join Clermont Auvergne in July and the deal included the option of a second season with the French Top-14 semifinalists.
"He's a player that we've been following for a long time," Clermont director of sport Jean Marc Lhermet was quoted as saying on the Planet Rugby website.
"He wants to revive his career in France, and it is a great opportunity for the club to sign a player of the kind of calibre we are looking for.
"He'll boost our squad with penetrating runs and power. We're very happy to have such a player. He's had a remarkable Super 14 season."
The 1.94m, 115kg powerhouse has had a forgettable 2010 off the field.
He was charged this week with careless driving after his car left the road and crashed through a fence north of Huntly three weeks ago after he fell asleep at the wheel.
Tests showed that Lauaki had been drinking, but he was well below the legal alcohol limit.
He will reappear in Hamilton District Court on June 24 on a separate matter, having pleaded guilty to a charge of assault in March after an incident in a bar.
Lauaki was remanded after his lawyer applied for a discharge without conviction, saying his client had received an offer to play overseas.
