Richie Mo'unga concedes his time as an All Black is now behind him, as first-five has been officially unveiled by new club Toshiba Brave Lupus.
After cementing himself as a key member of the NZ team over the past four years under coach Ian Foster, Mo'unga bowed out of international rugby at this year's Rugby World Cup in France.
At the end of 2022, he signed a three-year contract with Toshiba, which means he is ineligible to represent his country at test level under NZ Rugby's locals-only selection policy.
The timing is somewhat cruel for Mo'unga, as longtime Crusaders mentor Scott Robertson takes charge of the national team, with the pair unable to reunite at test level, after dominating Super Rugby for the better part of a decade.
As Mo'unga, 29, made his first media appearance in Japan, he's happy to move on from any All Blacks aspirations and content to finish his career in club rugby.
"I'm focused on the present," he said. "I just want to give all I can to Toshiba.
"I really can see myself playing here as long as I can until I retire. At this very point, the All Blacks is over there.
"I don't like using the term 'sabbatical'. This isn't a rest for me, it's not a one-year thing.
"I'm fully involved and fully committed."
Mo'unga isn't the only All Black trading New Zealand for Japan. Veterans Sam Cane and Ardie Savea will both enjoy season-long sabbaticals in Japan, signing short-term deals with Suntory Sungoliath and Kobelco Steelers respectively.
Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick will end their careers in Japan, after signing for Toyota and the Steelers.
Shannon Frizell will join Mo'unga at Toshiba, after a breakout year with the All Blacks, while Dane Coles will play one season with Kubota Spears, before he retires.
Despite signing a partnership agreement with the Japan Rugby Football Union earlier this year, NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson insists there will be no change to the All Blacks selection policy.
