Successful Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has signed a two-year contract extension but could still walk away from the Super Rugby champions if he replaces Steve Hansen as All Blacks coach later this year.
The 44-year-old Robertson has made no secret of the fact he would be keen to apply for the top job in New Zealand rugby after Hansen steps down following the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
He has given himself an insurance policy if he is unsuccessful in that goal by securing a Crusaders contract extension, which is until the end of the 2021 season.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue to lead a group of incredible players, alongside a coaching staff and management group who are passionate about what we do and the organisation we represent," said Robertson, who won four Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders as a player.
Nicknamed 'Razor', he is the only person to have won Super Rugby titles as a player and coach after he led the Crusaders to their eighth title in 2017.
They repeated as champions last year and after a coaching career that has included success with the New Zealand under-20s side in 2015 and three provincial titles with Canterbury, he is a strong candidate to replace Hansen.
He is unlikely to be granted dispensation to be involved with both sides.
A precedent was set when Hansen, who was then an assistant to All Blacks head coach Graham Henry, hoped to take on the vacant Crusaders role in 2008 as well but was stopped by New Zealand Rugby.
The Crusaders have fashioned a 35-3 record under Robertson and won their opening Super Rugby match this season, with a 24-22 victory over the Auckland Blues at Eden Park.
