All Black captain Sam Cane will wave goodbye to the Chiefs for the 2024 Super Rugby season. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The All Blacks captain Sam Cane has confirmed he will miss next year's Super Rugby Pacific competition with the Chiefs, instead opting to play in Japan.
Cane will take a sabatical which he is able to do under his New Zealand Rugby contact play for Suntory.
He had a 2024 sabatical included in his contract which goes through until the end of 2025.
The 95 test loose forward will return to New Zealand in June to be available for selection to the All Blacks international season.
Cane said he was looking forward to experiencing a new playing environment with Suntory and learning more about a new culture in Japan.
"When the opportunity to play for Suntory...came up it felt like the right time following the Rugby World Cup to try something new and also a great chance to continue to grow and learn in my rugby and life journey," he said.
"It wasn't an easy decision to skip a season with the Chiefs, but I know the team is in a great place and has an incredible group of leaders in the squad and the coaching group to have a successful 2024, and I'm really pleased to be able to return in time to put my best foot forward for selection in the All Blacks."
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said Cane had their full support.
"There are very few players who have given as much as he has to the jerseys he's worn in his career to date and it's a mark of his commitment to the All Blacks that he will return and make himself available for the Test season."
Cane becomes the tenth member of the World Cup squad to confirm he will play overseas next year.
Fellow All Black and Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea also has a sabbatical for next year, and will play at Kobe in the upcoming season.
Other World Cup All Blacks to have confirmed moves overseas are Brodie Retallick, Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Nepo Laulala, Aaron Smith, Leiester Fainga'anuku, Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles.
New Zealand's Super Rugby squads are due to be named next Thursday.