All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea Photo: PHOTOSPORT
All Blacks and Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea will take a six-month offshore playing break in Japan.
The 29-year-old will turn out for the Kobelco Kobe Steelers for the 2024 season, which starts after the Rugby World Cup in France.
The 67-Test All Black will then return to New Zealand in June 2024 and play through until the end of the 2025 season.
"Although it's far away, it's nice to have clarity in what I'm doing and I think this change, for a short period of time, will do me and my family good," Savea said.
"Playing in Japan is going to be an awesome experience and I'm ready to embrace their beautiful culture. I can't wait to meet all the Kobe fans at the games and connect with everyone."
Savea has three children and missed a Rugby Championship test against Australia this year for the birth of his son.
New Zealand Rugby professional rugby manager Simon Simmers said: "Super Rugby Pacific 2023 will be Ardie's 11th year with the Hurricanes so to be able to play somewhere different after next year's competition will be a great experience for him and his young family."
Under New Zealand Rugby Board policy, Savea will be immediately eligible to be selected by the All Blacks on his return in 2024 - an arrangement made for other long-serving All Blacks such as Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and Samuel Whitelock in recent years.
Other New Zealanders to have played for Kobelco Kobe Steelers include Retallick, Ben Smith, Aaron Cruden, Tom Franklin, Richard Buckman and Hayden Parker.
The Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith has also served as director of rugby at the Japanese club.