Blues captain and All Blacks loose forward Dalton Papali'i will be leaving New Zealand at the end of the Super Rugby season.
He will be heading to France to play with Top 14 side Castres Olympique.
The move comes after 1News reported Papali'i hinted he would be leaving New Zealand Rugby last week.
Papali'i said that while it was an "extremely tough" decision to leave New Zealand, he felt the timing was right at this stage of his career.
“This club means everything to me. I grew up dreaming of wearing the Blues jersey and representing my country. I’ve been lucky enough to live that dream for a long time,” Papali’i said.
“The Blues gave me my chance, backed me, and helped me become the player and person I am. This was a really hard decision, but the opportunity in France is something that works well for where I’m at in my career with my young family.
“I’m fully committed to finishing my time here the right way. I love this club, the people, and our supporters, and I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got into the season ahead.”
He first joined the franchise in 2017, and has nearly 100 caps for the Blues.
In that time, he has scored 100 points and led the team to their first Super Rugby championship in 20 years in 2024.
All Black #1176, he first donned the jersey in 2018, and was in the squad that travelled to France in 2023 for the World Cup. He has 36 caps with the All Blacks, scoring 40 points from eight tries.
It was an open secret in rugby circles that Papali'i and now-sacked All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson did not see eye to eye, and he only played one Test last year, spending most of his time with the All Blacks XV.
Blues GM Rugby Murray Williams said Papali'i "embodies everything it means to be a Blues man".
“We’re proud of what he’s achieved here, and will continue to support him and his family as he takes on this next chapter. This club will always be his home.”
He is on track to get his 100th cap for the Blues in the side's Super Rugby round 3 clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
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