Lachie Munro will savour his game time with Mid Western tomorrow in the Southern Districts club rugby competition as it could be a while before he gets to play for them again.
The Super 15 Blues utility back was not included in the 15 to play the Sharks tonight at Eden Park, and was released to play for his Northland club side Mid Western, who have lost their last two games.
"I'm going to have a run with Mid Western ... it was a good chance to play for the club who have been a massive help with my career. It will be good to see the boys again and hopefully I can help them get a win over Hora Hora," Munro said.
It will take on extra meaning for the 25-year-old, who is in the middle of negotiating a one - or two - year deal with a French rugby club. Munro was hesitant to divulge too much information until the contract was signed but he was planning to head to France following the conclusion of the Super 15, and will miss Northland's 2012 ITM Cup campaign.
"I was about to start renegotiating my contract with the Blues and the opportunity came up to go to France.
"I felt it was the right time to go and have a crack at playing overseas ... it was mostly an age thing," Munro said.
If he left it to a bit later in his twenties, he would be that much older when he returned to New Zealand, he added.
"It's a chance to go over and not necessarily make lots of money, but a chance to live in another country and see the world. I have lots of friends travelling over there at the moment and I can still come back to play in NZ." He intends to play for Northland on his return, Munro said. "Hopefully I can play for Northland again when I come back ... my time in Northland has been great. I've spent the last three years there and I appreciate all the coaching and support from the union, as well as the union giving me a chance to get back into Super Rugby," Munro said.
Munro played for Auckland from 2006-08, in the national provincial championship, but then headed north to play for Northland, who he has stuck with since. He was the leading points scorer for the 2010 ITM Cup with 172 points from six tries, 32 conversions and 26 penalties in 13 matches. Munro appeared for the Blues in the 2009 and 2010 Super 14 despite not being selected in the initial Blues squads. Last year he was selected for the Blues full squad for the first time for 2011.
Southern Districts Premiers, Round Five, April 14 (KO 2.15pm)
Hora Hora v Mid Western (Hora Hora 2); Mid Northern v Kamo (Hukerenui 1); Otamatea v Western Sharks (Kaiwaka 1); Wellsford v Marist (Centennial Park 1); Whg Old Boys v Hikurangi (Old Boys 2).