All Blacks winger Tele a heading to Japan in 2026

MELBOURNE - Mark Telea will leave the Auckland Blues at the end of the season and play rugby in Japan next year, ruling him out of All Blacks selection in 2026, the New Zealand winger said on Tuesday.

Telea was among Scott Robertsons first-choice wingers in his first season in charge but his departure leaves the All Blacks coach with a dilemma as to whether to pick him this season or move on.

It’s been an amazing ride, so many fantastic memories and amazing people, Telea said in a statement.

But after much thought I have decided from next year I will play my rugby in Japan.

New Zealand media have linked Telea with a move to Toyota Verblitz, who are coached by former All Blacks coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster.

All Blacks selectors are barred from picking overseas-based players, though some long-serving internationals have been allowed to take short-term contracts with foreign clubs during sabbaticals included in their New Zealand Rugby contracts.

A line-breaking machine, 28-year-old Telea has scored 13 tries in 19 tests since his 2022 debut and was a starting winger against South Africa in the 2023 World Cup final.

He was named World Rugbys Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2023 after a stellar season for the All Blacks.

A devastating character on the field, Mark’s presence in the locker room is just as immense, the Blues said on social media.

We will celebrate accordingly at the end of the season but until then we’ve got work to do.

Telea will join a number of New Zealand test players who have left the nation to pursue big-money deals with Japanese clubs, including flyhalf Richie Mounga and loose forward Shannon Frizell.

The departures have alarmed rugby pundits who fear the allure of the All Blacks jersey