Richie Mo'unga concedes his time as an All Black is now behind him, as the 29-year-old was officially unveiled by his new club, Toshiba Brave Lupus.
After cementing himself as a key member of the All Blacks over the past four years under Ian Foster, this year's Rugby World Cup in France was Mo'unga's swansong in the black jersey.
At the end of 2022, Mo'unga signed a three-year contract with Toshiba, which means he is ineligible to represent his country at test level due to New Zealand Rugby's locals-only selection policy.
The timing is somewhat cruel for Mo'unga, with 2024 seeing longtime Crusaders mentor Scott Robertson take charge of the All Blacks, and with the pair unable to reunite at test level after dominating Super Rugby for the better part of a decade.
But as Mo'unga made his first media appearance in Japan, the first-five outlined that he's happy to have moved on from any All Blacks aspirations, and would be content finishing his career in club rugby.
"I'm focused on the present," Mo'unga said. "I just want to give all I can to Toshiba.
"I really can see myself playing here as long as I can until I retire... At this very point, the All Blacks is over there.
"I don't like using the term 'sabbatical'; this isn't a rest for me, it's not a one-year thing. I'm fully involved and fully committed."
Mo'unga isn't the only All Black to have traded New Zealand for Japan either.
Senior All Blacks Sam Cane and Ardie Savea will both enjoy season-long sabbaticals in Japan next season, signing short-term deals with Suntory Sungoliath and Kobelco Steelers respectively.
Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick will end their careers in Japan, having signed for Toyota and the Steelers.
Shannon Frizell will join Mo'unga at Toshiba after a breakout year with the All Blacks, while Dane Coles will play one season with Kubota Spears before he retires altogether.
Despite signing a partnership agreement with the Japan Rugby Football Union earlier this year, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson asserts there will be no change to the All Blacks' selection policy.
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