All Blacks captain Sam Cane has confirmed he will miss the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific competition, opting to exercise the sabbatical option in his New Zealand Rugby contract for a stint in Japan.
Reports surfaced this morning of Cane's departure to play for Tokyo Sungoliath before NZR and Cane confirmed the news in a statement this afternoon.
"When the opportunity to play for Suntory in 2024 came up it felt like the right time following the Rugby World Cup to try something new and also a great chance to continue to grow and learn in my rugby and life journey," Cane said.
"I’m grateful to New Zealand Rugby for their support to take this opportunity.
"It wasn’t an easy decision to skip a season with the Chiefs, but I know the team is in a great place and has an incredible group of leaders in the squad and the coaching group to have a successful 2024, and I’m really pleased to be able to return in time to put my best foot forward for selection in the All Blacks."
Cane returned to New Zealand earlier this week after a heartbreaking finish to this year's Rugby World Cup where he became the first player to be red carded in a men's final.
However, he also played some of his best rugby in the black jersey at the tournament, including a career-best outing against Ireland in their thrilling quarter-final against their northern rivals.
"Sam’s decision to take a sabbatical in 2024 has our full support and we wish him and his family all the best for their time in Japan," NZR CEO Mark Robinson said.
"There are very few players who have given as much as he has to the jerseys he’s worn in his career to date and it’s a mark of his commitment to the All Blacks that he will return and make himself available for the Test season."
The deal will still allow new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to call on Cane for next year's internationals though, including his first Tests in charge against England in June, but he will still have some big boots to fill with his first squad.
Cane is the tenth All Black from this year's Rugby World Cup squad to confirm a move overseas following their loss to the Springboks in the final.
Ardie Savea, fresh off winning World Rugby's men's 15s player of the year, confirmed earlier this year he would also use his sabbatical in 2024 with Kobe.
Other World Cup All Blacks to have confirmed moves overseas are Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell, Nepo Laulala, Leiester Fainga'anuku, and Beauden Barrett, while greats Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles have finished their time in the black jersey with their own deals abroad.
Robertson will get a better idea of the pool of players he has to work with next week as New Zealand's Super Rugby squads are due to be named next Thursday.
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