The Highlanders are not far away from signing veteran lock Brad Thorn and Tamati Ellison may come back to the franchise next year, although the classy centre will have to get approval from the board of the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the franchise was working through a deal to get Ellison back to the franchise, classed as an overseas player.
Ellison announced in May he had signed a deal with Japanese club Ricoh, and it was thought he would be leaving the Highlanders after two seasons.
But Clark said Ellison had a clause in his contract with his Japanese club that he was able to play Super 15.
He would not be available for the All Blacks when he came back.
Under the new employment collective contract, players who came back to New Zealand while still contracted with an overseas club had to meet criteria to be accepted.
They had to have played either 80 Super rugby games or 60 tests.
Ellison has played 76 Super rugby games, and four test matches.
Clark said a proposal was with the NZRU and would be discussed at the next board meeting next month.
Clark was reasonably optimistic it would be approved but said nothing was ever certain until the ink was on the paper. Thorn and Fumiaki Tanaka had been the franchise's overseas players this season and they had been approved by the NZRU.
Ellison (30) said he had unfinished business with the franchise.
''I only had a handful of games this year ... and it did not go the way we wanted it to go. I missed the first half of the season, which was harder, as I could not do anything,'' Ellison said.
''A few things have to happen before it becomes official but I am pretty keen. They [Japan] finish when Super 15 starts so in terms of timing it works out. We just have to sort a few contractual things out.''
He was not worried about playing too much, as he had just had six months off and was feeling fresh.
Ellison missed the first eight games, which the Highlanders lost, after a shoulder operation.
It would be a big boost to get Ellison back, as he has been one of the Highlanders' best players in the past couple of years.
Thorn said he was looking forward to having a rest after this season finished, but was likely to be back at the Highlanders next year.
''The past couple of years has been non-stop really ... physically it is just the same old, same old, but mentally I need a rest. I just need to freshen up and sit on a beach or something,'' he said.
''I want to get excited again about playing footy because I still want to play. But it is just natural. If you eat too much chocolate cake, then you get sick of it.
''It is looking pretty likely I will be staying here for another season. I'm sure it will be sorted out pretty soon.''
Clark said Thorn's signing looked promising and an announcement was due next week.
The big lock will be 39 when the season kicks off next year but has been one of the Highlanders' best this season, playing all but one game in the season.
Others who are expected to be confirmed as staying next year are No8 Mose Tuiali'i and inside back Hayden Parker.
The retention of key men Ellison and Thorn is a big positive for the franchise after winger Hosea Gear and prop Jamie Mackintosh announced they were leaving. Colin Slade is expected to join the Crusaders, although he declined to be interviewed yesterday.
