How close Shaun Stevenson came to stunning NRL switch

Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson has opened up about the “cool conversation” he had with NRL super coach Wayne Bennett in Queensland last year.

Stevenson has been one of the standout players in Supe Rugby Pacific this season, and a vast majority of rugby fans would agree that he appears to be an All Black in waiting.

The elusive outside back is equal-first with Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga’anuku for tries scored, and is also among the competition leaders for carries, running metres and offloads.

Both talented and with speed to burn, Stevenson has been putting up unreal numbers.

So, it’s not overly surprising that the now 26-year-old had caught the eye of one of the greatest coaches in sport on either side of the Tasman.

After initially missing out on the All Blacks XV squad, rumours of Stevenson’s potential switch to rugby league began to swirl.

Wayne Bennett had clearly identified the talent as a possible marquee recruit for NRL expansion side the Dolphins.

Stevenson actually “flew over” to Queensland, and met the legendary coach in person at his farm in Toowoomba – which is 125km inland from Brisbane.

“I actually flew over and saw him in his farm in Toowoomba and it was nice to have a conversation with him,” Stevenson told SENZ Breakfast.

“Yeah, it was good, I mean… seeing him in real life, it’s pretty confronting because you don’t know what to say because he’s Wayne Bennett.

“But it was a good conversation and he’s a really nice man and he was just talking about what Redcliffe looked like for me and whatnot.

“It was a cool conversation to have, and it was just nice to meet the guy and talk about league and whatnot at that point of my career so yeah, it was cool.”

Stevenson added that he’s “happy” in New Zealand at the moment, but suggest that the door remains ajar for a move to the NRL in the future.

The Chiefs flyer is yet to re-sign with NZR beyond this year.

“I’m quite happy just sitting back at the moment and playing some footy,” he added.

“I haven’t singed anywhere for next year so yeah, I’m just looking forward to the next few weeks and seeing what happens with that.

“Then I guess we’ll make some decisions around that soon, but yeah I guess (I’m) just focusing on the next few weeks and we’ll go from there.”

Alongside the likes of Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber, Stevenson has held the keys to the Chiefs’ success in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

Stevenson has made professionals look like schoolboys at times – if only for a moment – and is showing no signs of slowing down ahead of the playoffs.

Speaking with RugbyPass earlier this month, Stevenson said that he’s “ready to play Test rugby” for New Zealand.

“Those ups and downs and playing Maori All Blacks and All Blacks XV, I think I am ready to play Test rugby,” he said.

“If I do get a callup I’ll be very grateful to represent my country, if I do get the opportunity to represent my country I’ll try to take it with two hands.

“With the confidence that I’m trying to play with at the moment, hopefully I can put that on the field and not shy away that it’s a step up but it’s the same players you’re playing in Super Rugby.

“Once we get there I’ll have to lean on some of the older boys in terms of some experience if I do get to that point, but I do feel like I am ready to play Test rugby.”

The ladder-leading Chiefs take on Australian heavyweights the ACT Brumbies in Canberra this weekend.