At the conclusion of the Japanese season this summer, Cane will rejoin the team and be available to play for the All Blacks for the remainder of the season.
Following New Zealand Rugby’s external agreement to release him from the last year of his contract, which extended to the end of 2025, the 32-year-old will subsequently return to Japan.
Cane stated, “I was given a great opportunity when Suntory Sungoliath offered me a three-year contract.”
After weighing all the options, having a young family felt like the best choice.
Since making his All Blacks debut in 2012, the flanker has participated in 95 Test matches, 27 of which he has captained, and he assisted his nation in winning the 2015 World Cup.
However, after New Zealand’s 2023 tournament loss to South Africa, he became the first male player in World Cup history to be sent off in a final.
Since then, the All Blacks have not participated in a match, and Cane will not lead them when they play next.
