Cory Jane said he was left feeling 'gutted' and not 'too happy' when he heard Ma'a Nonu was unwanted by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett next year.
Hammett announced on Wednesday that Nonu, the incumbent All Blacks second five-eighths, and Hurricanes skipper and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore had been shown the door.
While the coach clearly feels young rake Dane Coles is the man for the future at the Hurricanes, the decision not to re-sign Nonu is a bold move by Hammett in his first year in charge of the Wellington-based franchise.
Already senior players Neemia Tialata, John Schwalger and Rodney So'oialo have announced they are heading overseas, while Piri Weepu, Jane and Hosea Gear have still to decide on their playing futures post 2011.
Nonu has been one of the Hurricanes' and Wellington's biggest drawcards since 2002, playing 61 times for the Lions and notching 108 games for the Hurricanes to date.
Speculation and rumours have been rife this season that senior players have not always seen eye-to-eye with the former Crusaders assistant coach but Hammett refused to be drawn on the reasons behind his decision to axe the two veterans who had both been keen to remain with the franchise for at least another season.
Jane also wouldn't shed any light on the possible reasons for Nonu's departure, although there have been suggestions his ill-discipline on the field may have been a factor.
"I wouldn't have a clue, it's for him [Nonu] to say," the fullback said.
"We've had a few chats but he has to comment on that or you talk to Hammer (Hammett) about that."
"I'm not going to comment on something I don't know a huge amount about."
"When you hear from one side it's easy to go and slay other people."
"It's obviously disappointing, but that's life and Skux will find another team and he'll come back and play some good rugby again."
"He was gutted [when he was told]."
"I was gutted and wasn't too happy. I feel for him."
"He's played a lot of games here and a lot of Tests."
"He's still an elite player so I'm disappointed and shocked."
"Not only am I good mates with him I'm a fan of his as well."
"It's disappointing. Our main weapon has now been shipped out, obviously it's disappointing."
But he didn't expect Nonu, who is certain to be in Graham Henry's World Cup squad, would be left without a job for too long.
"I think every franchise in New Zealand will be wanting him and probably every team in the world. He'll have his options open," Jane said.
But Jane admitted he was still unclear on where his future lay, although he seemed buoyed by the news that Hammett wanted him and Weepu to stay.
"That's pretty good then, eh. I'll have to sit down and have a chat and see where we are heading and what decisions they want to make and if I'm still involved," he said.
"I've said before that if I could play for the Hurricanes and All Blacks my whole life I would."
"Obviously that doesn't happen because rugby has turned into a business now."
"It's more like the NFL where one minute you're there and playing well and then all of a sudden you're shipped off to another team."
"Or another team can pick you up."
"I've just got to sit down and talk and make the right decision and get