Brodie Retallick is set to bring the curtain down on his All Blacks career by reportedly becoming the latest player to agree to a move away from New Zealand after the 2023 World Cup.
According to a report by Stuff.co.nz, Retallick has signed a three-year deal with Kobe Steelers through to the 2025-26 Japan Rugby League One season.
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The length of the deal means that the 31-year-old second rower will be based in Japan until he is 34 and will be unavailable for All Blacks selection through this period.
When the deal is announced, Retallick will become the latest experienced All Blacks player to leave New Zealand after the upcoming World Cup in France.
All Blacks centurions Sam Whitelock (35) and Aaron Smith (34) have yet to fully disclose their futures, but Smith has hinted that 2023 will be his last year in a New Zealand jersey.
Star playmaker Richie Mo’unga is also heading to Japan to join Brave Lupus on a three-year deal, and he will be joined in Japan by loose forward Shannon Frizell.
Meanwhile, No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula and scrumhalf Brad Weber are reportedly set to move to France.
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