Alex Nankivell makes his ambitions clear as he enters final year of Munster contract
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Ambitions.
Alex Nankivell has made it clear he wants to extend his stay with Munster as the New Zealand-born centre enters the final year of his current contract.
Nankivell has become a key figure for the province since arriving from the Chiefs in 2023, with his performances last season earning him Munster’s Player of the Year award.
Now heading into his fourth campaign in red, the 29-year-old admits his future is already on his mind — and remaining in Ireland could eventually open another significant door.
“I would love to stay here at Munster,” Nankivell told reporters this week.
“It is definitely in the back of my mind, particularly coming off contract after this season.
“I guess the thing about if I re-sign, international rugby is the pinnacle, in my opinion. I’ve had dreams to play for the All Blacks, and I didn’t really think about it when I came over, as I didn’t think the opportunity would present itself to become Irish-qualified being here, but now it kind of does.
“So if I do become Irish-qualified, then I have pretty much put myself in a position where my dreams could come true effectively and play international rugby.”
Any potential Ireland opportunity remains some way down the road, with Nankivell still needing to satisfy the five-year residency requirement before becoming eligible.
His immediate future will therefore centre on whether a new agreement can be reached with Munster, something Nankivell acknowledges will ultimately involve more than simply his desire to stay.
“Obviously, there’s the business side of it too, coming off contract and Munster, where they see me and what have you,” he added.
Nankivell joined Munster shortly after the province’s 2023 URC title and has since established himself as one of their most important midfield options.
Last season ended without silverware, but there has been further change ahead of the new campaign, with Jared Payne and Jimmy Duffy joining Clayton McMillan’s coaching staff.
Nankivell believes those changes are already beginning to show in Munster’s approach.
“You’ll probably see in the way we play this year, there’ll be a few differences, particularly in the attack,” he said.
Munster begin their URC campaign against Glasgow Warriors at Thomond Park on September 26.
