Super Rugby: New Zealand Rugby, Shaun Stevenson reach compromise over Japanese deal

Despite his status as the Chiefs’ first choice at fullback, Stevenson has made only one test appearance for the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport

Shaun Stevenson and New Zealand Rugby have reached an agreement over the one-test All Black’s immediate and longer-term future, the national organisation has confirmed.

Last month, the 28-year-old sought an immediate release from his New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Chiefs contract in order to take up a deal with Japanese outfit Kubota Spears. Kubota had Stevenson at the top of their wishlist after injury ended the Top League season of Wales outside back Liam Williams.

However, NZR was hesitant to grant Stevenson’s request so close to the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season, due to the precedent it would set for other players wanting to move abroad. Stevenson is contracted until the end of the 2025 season.

Instead, he has been granted a short-term sabbatical from his NZR deal and will head to Japan to start 2025. The Herald also understands Stevenson will relocate permanently in 2026, once his current contract expires.

“We’ve been discussing Shaun’s future for a little while and have reached a decision that balances Shaun’s individual circumstances with his commitments to the Gallagher Chiefs and Super Rugby,” said NZR’s general manager of professional rugby and performance, Chris Lendrum.

“Shaun has been a professional rugby player in New Zealand for 10 years and has progressed through to the very top of our game. Throughout that time, he has been a committed Gallagher Chiefs player and remains so for the upcoming season.”

Stevenson could make his Kubota debut as early as Saturday, when they host TJ Perenara’s Black Rams Tokyo.

While Stevenson will play the remainder of Super Rugby after his return from Rugby League One, he’ll be unavailable for the Chiefs’ matches against the Blues on February 15, the Crusaders on February 21 and the Brumbies on March 1.

It is unclear whether Stevenson will play in the 2025 NPC for North Harbour. Leaving after Super Rugby 2025 would also rule him out of contention for the All Blacks XV and Māori All Blacks this year.

Despite his status as the Chiefs’ first choice at fullback, Stevenson has made only one test appearance for the All Blacks.

That came in a heavily rotated side in mid-2023, when Ian Foster’s men came from behind to defeat the Wallabies 23-20 in Dunedin. Stevenson played that test on the wing and scored his first – and probably only – try for the All Blacks.

Alex Powell is an online sports editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.