All Blacks: Retallick off to Japan

Retaining Brodie Retallick is a coup for NZR. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Lock likely to take advantage of sabbatical clause in four-year deal with NZ Rugby.

One of the key aspects of Brodie Retallick agreeing to stay with New Zealand Rugby was a sabbatical clause and he looks likely to cash in on that with Japanese club Panasonic.

It is unclear when he will go, but the team currently coached by Robbie Deans is at the front of the queue for the lock who was last year recognised as the best player in the world. Retallick is likely to fit in his season during the break in Super Rugby, meaning he will return to the Chiefs without missing a significant number of matches but with a much healthier bank balance.

The commitment of the 23-year-old, and blockbusting wing Julian Savea, to New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks to what are believed to be four-year contracts which will take them to the next World Cup in Japan in 2019 will be announced as soon as this week.

After watching young talents such as Charles Piutau, Colin Slade and Tom Taylor announce moves overseas recently in what has been called in some quarters an "exodus", the national body will be keen to trumpet the signing of Retallick and Savea as a triumph. The pair held off committing but were believed to be unlikely to take their talents overseas for any significant amount of time.

Still, their negotiations would have forced New Zealand Rugby to come up with improved deals, and with the national organisation unable to match the money offered by overseas clubs, a sabbatical is seen as the best solution.

Retallick is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, but 24-year-old Savea is playing a key part in the Hurricanes' push for their first title this year.

Savea possesses one of the best try-scoring strike rates in world rugby history, having dotted down 30 times in 33 games in the All Black jersey, including crossing the line 11 times last season alone.

Scorer of hat-tricks against Ireland on debut and England at Waikato Stadium, Savea has also crossed twice in a game on seven occasions, and was nominated for the 2014 World Rugby Player of the Year award which was claimed by Retallick.

It is understood that Retallick's All Blacks and Chiefs teammate Liam Messam is considering a similar deal with Japanese club Toshiba.

Young talent

• Brodie Retallick
36 All Blacks tests
1 try
Debut v Ireland, Eden Park, 2012
IRB Player of the Year 2014

• Julian Savea
33 All Blacks tests
30 tries
Debut v Ireland, Eden Park, 2012
IRB Player of the Year nominee 2014.