Clermont Auvergne on the verge of signing All Black

Four-test All Black and Blues midfielder George Moala is on the verge of signing with current Top 14 champions Clermont Auvergne, French newspaper La Montagne reports.

Clermont recently secured the signature of Chiefs star Tim Nanai-Williams earlier this month, and are looking to make another coup with the Moala signing.

The 27-year-old outside back debuted for the All Blacks in 2015 against Samoa but seems to be on the outside of the next generation of midfielders.

Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, and Ngani Laumape all made regular appearances for the All Blacks in 2017, while the first-choice pairing of Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty have established themselves as the All Blacks preferred selections.

With indications Rieko Ioane wants to play centre long-term for the Blues, the move makes sense for Moala, with Matt Duffie, Melani Nanai and uncapped Caleb Clarke all pushing for the wing spots.