All Blacks fly half Mo’unga to Japan

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga will walk away from international rugby after next year’s World Cup to take up a “life-changing” contract in Japan.

Mo’unga has signed a three-year deal with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo beginning in 2024 and reportedly worth up to $2 million a season, making him one of the world’s highest-paid rugby players. He will not be eligible to play for the All Blacks because he is based in overseas.

Mo’unga will be 29 next year, potentially with several years of international rugby ahead of him. He said that he couldn’t refuse the Toshiba opportunity.

“It’s a touchy thing when people are going overseas but you can’t hide away from the fact it’s life-changing for me and my family,” Mo’unga told the New Zealand Herald. “My job as a father and a husband is to provide for my family and put them first in decisions. That’s basically what I’m doing.”

Mo’unga has played 44 tests for New Zealand and took over from Beauden Barrett last season as the starter in the No. 10 jersey.

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