Waikato winger Sevu Reece will depart New Zealand with a heavy heart, knowing that his dream of playing Super Rugby is on the back-burner for now.
After missing out on a Chiefs Super contract over the last two seasons, Reece signed with Irish side Connacht in May for the 2018/19 Pro14 season and he'll make the move north after Waikato's Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
The Fijian has hit a rich vein of form for the Mooloos and leads the competition with five tries to sit near the top of the Duane Monkley medal standings for player of the season.
But as the 21-year-old prepares to depart, the Chiefs have a spot for him in their squad, with Toni Pulu off to the Brumbies, while Tim Nanai-Williams has moved to France.
While it appears unlikely, Reece could yet backflip out of his Connacht deal.
Waisake Naholo signed a two-year deal with French side Clermont in 2015, but pulled out of the contract, after a solid Super Rugby season put him in contention for an All Blacks jersey, while Marty Banks withdrew from a deal in Italy, citing "personal reasons".
Reece looks set to honour his contract with Galway-based Connacht, but admits he still harbours ambitions to play Super Rugby, ideally with the Chiefs.
"I've signed for Connacht, but the dream was to play Super Rugby, especially coming from Fiji to New Zealand," he told Newshub.
"Going to Hamilton Boys High School and watching the Chiefs, and being in the franchise was something I always wanted to go get into.
"Plus, when I was a kid in the islands, I used to watch the likes of [Asaeli] Tikoirotuma and all the other Fijian wingers, and I wished one day I'd get into that environment by playing good footy and hopefully coaches would give you the nod."
Reece has been in Chiefs development squad in recent years, but has never quite cracked Super Rugby, and the fact he kept missing out meant he had to explore other options.
"It was a tough decision. That Connacht deal was on the table for me last year, and over the last two years, it was really tough on me, just playing Mitre 10 level.
"I was hoping to get a crack at Super Rugby, but I couldn't get that chance, so I had to look at my other options.
"I'd love to play for the Mooloos for as long as I could, but it comes down to see and do what's best for you."
Going to Ireland will also open up new opportunities for Reece, as he would play a higher level of rugby each week and if he stayed in Ireland, he would become eligible for the national team for the 2023 World Cup in France.
Former Chiefs player Bundee Aki moved to the Connacht in 2014 and now plays for Ireland internationally.
If Reece stays in New Zealand, he would become eligible for the All Blacks also, while playing for the Flying Fijians is also a possibility.
"At this point, I'm from Fiji, so that option is there, but if I stay in New Zealand, the main goal will to become an All Black.
"Or if I play good for Connacht, I might end up playing for Ireland. Playing for one of those guys is the goal for me in the future."
Before heading north, Reece is determined to help Waikato return to the Mitre 10 Cup premiership after the Mooloos were relegated last season.
Having lost their first three games, Waikato turned their season around and are on a three-game win streak, including a successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki.
Their next encounter is against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Friday.
"All week, the talk has been about Bay of Plenty. There is a trophy we play for as well and with it being a local derby, it is good to see who is the best team in the Chiefs region.
"The boys are excited to get out there, and put on a performance that we've been doing in the last few weeks and get the result."
Newshub.
