Highlanders' Mapusua heading overseas

Otago and Highlanders midfielder Seilala Mapusua has confirmed he is off overseas.

Mapusua has signed a deal with the London Irish club in the English Premiership and will be leaving Dunedin after the NPC at the end of October.

Otago rugby chief executive Russell Gray says they cannot compete with the money being offered by northern hemisphere clubs.

Gray says it is disappointing, but accepts that Mapusua has got to do what is best for himself.

That means Mapusua will play his last home Super 14 game this Friday night when the Highlanders play the Waratahs at Carisbrook.

- NEWSTALK ZB