Mark Tele’a, star winger for the Auckland Blues and All Blacks, has announced that he will be leaving his current club and even New Zealand. With the World Cup just two years away, it’s a decision that raises questions.
The season for Auckland Blues fans has been decidedly lacklustre. After just one win in six games, Vern Cotter’s men have finally managed to get back on track, with two wins in their last two outings. But on Tuesday, the star winger of the defending Super Rugby champions Mark Tele’a (28) announced that he would be leaving his current club at the end of the current season. He made the announcement via an Instagram post in which a manga illustration of his career hinted at his future destination: ‘It’s been an incredible adventure, full of fantastic memories and great people… But after careful consideration, I’ve decided to play rugby in Japan from next year. Thank you to my team-mates, coaches, managers and supporters for making the last few years so special for me. I’ve always been grateful and lucky to have had this opportunity. Now it’s time for a new chapter.
The departure was also confirmed by the Auckland Blues on their social networks:
The Blues can confirm that Mark Tele’a will be moving to Japan next year. Originally from Massey, Mark has overcome every imaginable obstacle to pursue his dream. A devastating character on the pitch, Mark’s presence in the dressing room is equally immense. We will celebrate accordingly at the end of the season, but until then we have work to do
This is obviously a big loss for the club as the winger is the x-factor of this team. Last season, he played a major role in the club’s title triumph, scoring nine tries in 15 games. The previous year, he went one better, scoring twelve tries in thirteen games.
What about the All Blacks?
According to Rugbypass, the player who has played eight Super Rugby matches this season, scoring three tries, is expected to play at Toyota Verblitz. At the Aichi-based club, he would play alongside Richie Gray or Pieter-Steph du Toit. The Auckland native would also be reunited with his former All Blacks team-mate Aaron Smith as well as his former coach Ian Foster, who coached the club with Steve Hansen, himself previously in charge of New Zealand. In the land of the rising sun, he will have to compensate for the departure of Joseph Manu. The former NRL star has signed a contract with Racing 92, but is reportedly looking to free himself from that commitment in order to sign for a New Zealand province with the aim of playing in the 2027 World Cup.
The mention of the next World Cup brings us back to Mark Tele’a’s decision to leave New Zealand with two years to go. Indeed, to be eligible to wear the fern jersey at this major rugby event, he would have to return to his homeland after just one season in Japan. Is this part of his plans? Coach Scott Robertson must surely hope so, given that the player with 13 tries in 19 caps is one of the best wingers in the world at the moment, thanks to his impressive top speed, his ability to unzip and his talent as a finisher.
His departure has understandably raised eyebrows in the land of the long white cloud. It really concerns me,’ said Jeff Wilson, the former All Black (60 caps) who is now a consultant for Sky Sports New Zealand. We know that the game has changed and that different players have different motivations. But if Tele’a goes, it’s a strong signal.’
A number of players who could potentially fit into Scott Robertson’s plans are currently plying their trade in the Japanese League One. While Sam Cane, Aaron Smith and Brodie Rettalick have retired from international football, Shannon Frizell (33 caps) and Richie Mo’unga (56 caps) are unable to wear the All Blacks jersey because they play for Japanese clubs. The fly-half could, however, wear the colours of his country of origin, Tonga, from 2026.
