Moving on: Richard Kahui
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All Blacks centre Richard Kahui has confirmed that he will exit the Chiefs at the end of Super Rugby 2013 in order to take up a contract in Japan.
The 27-year-old, who has been plagued by a shoulder injury, announced the news on New Zealand television show The Rugby Zone.
Following the Super Rugby campaign for the champions, Kahui will join club side Toshiba.
Kahui played a key role for the All Blacks in their 2011 World Cup triumph, regularly starting for Graham Henry's victorious side on the left wing.
"I love being a Chief, but it is no secret that I have had my fair share injuries which have forced me to make some very hard decisions about my future and make the most of the opportunities while I can," Kahui told the Chiefs website.
Chiefs' coach Dave Rennie added: "Richard has been an outstanding member of the Chiefs family, having played over 50 games for us."
"I have been really impressed with him as a man, as a player and as a leader within our group.
"He has an opportunity to set himself up for his future and we are fully supportive of what he is doing and hope to get him back for 2015."
Comments
kiwilad says...
Sadly we have never see the best of Kahui, tackles that ferocious have effectively damaged his shoulders is my guess.
All the Richard, hope it all goes well for you..
Posted 20:21 16th February 2013
PREEST says...
Well by the time he wants to come back he wont be in contention for the All Blacks as their are a surplus of quality players in his positions. Good on him for making his decision but this will in effect end his All Black career.
Posted 02:42 14th February 2013
rakavi187 says...
@ capedcrusader..
your post is stupid.
Kahui made this decisions based on his life after rugby. He has won the RWC for NZ and a Super Rugby title and that is good enough for him and most of us. He has nothing left to prove. Time to set himself up for life before injuries mow him down for good.
Posted 20:44 13th February 2013
Isograford says...
I hope the NZRU has some sort of transfer fee system in place, if that's even allowed. They pump money into a player, bring him through the system, and then he turns his back and leaves.
They've been paying his wages while he's spent most of his career sitting on the sidelines and so i dare say they're entitled to ask this Japanese club for a decent amount of cash.
To think of all the Kiwi talent wasting away in Japanese rugby these days. Europeans should count themselves lucky they actually get to choose full strength teams.
Posted 18:17 13th February 2013
jmanngod says...
you're dead to me Kahui!
Posted 17:45 13th February 2013
5Lock4ward says...
This works out great for me. My wife said she wasn't going to RWC '19 in Japan but now that he's there (she's gaga over this chap) maybe I'll get to go after all. Ha!
Posted 16:44 13th February 2013
passtheball says...
Not surprising he chose Japan as it will mean less wear and tear for the next couple of years and maybe, just maybe, his body will heal properly and he will be back for the Chiefs and the next W Cup. That's the plan so good luck to him. He could probably get some modeling or TV assignments over there on the side. With SBW and Richard Kahui missing there will be a lot less females at Rugby Park, Hamilton!
Posted 16:20 13th February 2013
KiwiKev says...
@ capedcrusader
What are you on about? He is a grown man who gets to make his own decisions about his life...
I reckon you should be more focused on your own life rather than anyone else's....
Posted 14:01 13th February 2013
capedcrusader says...
This news grates me. He's only 27 and yes his injuries have plagued him and NZ Rugby. He still has so much still to offer so the NZRFU should be doing all they can to keep him. A wasted talent going to play tiddly winks. I would have hoped he had higher ambitions. My estimations of RK have gone right down as a result of this decision.
Posted 13:02 13th February 2013
porridge_time says...
Sad to see him leave the ranks of NZ rugby, shame his career was plagued by injury as he never really got the chance to shine to often.
Posted 11:51 13th February 2013
stag says...
wonder have the japanese club ever looked at his injury record? destined to watch more time spectating than playing. great move for kahui & the chiefs less so for the japanese club. maybe he'll help out training the kids when he breaks down again
Posted 11:26 13th February 2013
MaxPower says...
Good luck to a fantastic player. The chiefs and abs will be poorer without him.
Posted 09:23 13th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Fair play, good luck in Japan. What an adventure!
Posted 09:14 13th February 2013