The Wellington, Hurricanes and All Blacks stalwart Rodney So'oialo has today announced he is leaving New Zealand to play rugby in Japan.
So'oialo will leave New Zealand at the end of this year's Super Rugby Season to take up a two-year contract with Japanese club Honda Heat.
The 31-year-old loose forward says he's looking forward to the rugby and leadership challenges in Japan along with the different cultural experience it will offer.
Renowned for his hard-nosed defence and surging attacks, So'oialo made his provincial debut for Wellington in 2000, his Super Rugby debut in 2001 and his All Blacks debut the following year against Wales in Cardiff.
He has played 62 Test matches as an All Black including five as captain and he captained the All Blacks in three different positions (6, 7 and 8).
He also has 64 provincial caps and 101 Super Rugby caps as well as a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the New Zealand Sevens team in 2002.
