All Blacks star Damian McKenzie has reportedly signed a short-term deal with a Japanese club that will rule him out of the 2022 Super Rugby season.'
According to New Zealand Herald, the Chiefs playmaker has inked a contract with Suntory Sungoliath - the same club that Beauden Barrett played for earlier this year.
Off-contract at the end of this season, McKenzie will link up with Suntory following the All Blacks end-of-year tour to play in the revamped Japan Rugby League One.
The competition has already lured former NRL and Wallabies star Israel Folau and Blues captain Patrick Tuiputou and it's thought McKenzie contract will be similar to that of Barrett who was paid a reported $1.5 million for the 2020/21 season.
It's unlikely McKenzie will look offshore beyond his stint in Japan with a Rugby World Cup two years away, having missed the 2019 edition through injury.
McKenzie has played 32 tests for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2016 and will start at fullback in this weekend's second Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies.
The 26-year-old has made 95 appearances for the Chiefs.
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