Former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula is heading to France, after inking a deal with Top 14 side Clermont.
Starting in 2023/24, the 28-year-old loose forward has signed a two-year deal with the club with an option for a third, effectively ending any hope of representing New Zealand again.
He'll join up with the squad after playing out the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with the Chiefs and the National Provincial Championship with Taranaki.
Following a breakthrough campaign with the Chiefs this year, Sowakula earned a call-up for the All Blacks' July series against Ireland, featuring in two of the three tests. He came off the bench to score a try in the opening win at Eden Park and was also used as an impact substitute during the loss the following week in Dunedin.
He then fell out of favour with the national selectors, missing out on a place in the squads for the Rugby Championship and the northern tour. He was also overlooked for the All Blacks XV matches against Ireland A and the Barbarians, suggesting he was no longer in the frame for test selection.
The return of Shannon Frizell to full fitness and Jason Ryan's promotion to All Blacks forwards coach likely didn't help Sowakula's cause, while he was also reportedly involved in a minor off-field incident, although the All Blacks never acknowledged any misbehaviour.
Clermont also announced that Sowakuala's wife, 22-test Black Fern Toka Natua, would be joining their women's team.
"My focus is on the upcoming season with the Chiefs," said Sowakula. "I want to finish the 2023 season on a high note.
“It will be interesting to learn about their style of the game compared to New Zealand. It has been a hard decision to leave this club that has been like family for the last four years but I'm glad Toka and our daughter can join me on this new journey."
In 2016, Sowakula came to New Zealand from Fiji to join the Taranaki academy. He made his debut with the Chiefs two years later, going on to make almost 50 appearances for the Hamilton-based side.
Sowakula is also eligible to represent his country of birth Fiji but - under World Rugby laws - will need to wait until 2025 to do so, when he'll be three years removed from his last test for the All Blacks.
