The All Blacks' post-World Cup exodus has begun with Canterbury and Crusaders midfielder Aaron Mauger yesterday confirming a move to English club Leicester.
The 38-test veteran will head to the English Premiership club in December, placing a highly decorated career with his home province on ice.
Mauger, 26,has signed for 2 1/2 years with the Tigers in a move that pushes former provincial teammate Daryl Gibson into a player-coach role.
The deal, worth an estimated £250,000 ($700,000) a season, could signal the end of his test career, though Mauger has expressed a desire to end his playing days on home soil with an eye to the 2011 World Cup.
"I'd also love to finish my career with Canterbury and, if I'm still playing well enough, possibly have a crack at the 2011 World Cup," he said.
"A lot can happen in 2 1/2 years but hopefully the body holds up and the mind's still keen to give it another shot. I definitely want to finish in a red and black jersey."
Mauger admitted it was a risk to vacate the All Blacks but the lure of a new experience was compelling.
"I thought about it a lot and I'm very grateful for the opportunities I have had in the All Blacks jersey.
"I suppose there comes a time when you have to leave it to chance," he said. "It's pretty important to have some balance in life as well. I guess your priorities change when you move on a bit and have a family."
A father of one with another baby on the way, Mauger said he felt the timing was right to embrace life abroad.
"This is probably the only opportunity as we would like our children to start school in New Zealand," he said.
Mauger is on the All Blacks reconditioning programme and will be available for the Crusaders in the Super 14 from round eight in late March.
