George Moala will leave Blues to join Clermont Auvergne on a three-year deal after the 2018 Super Rugby season.

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The versatile Moala, who can operate on the wing or as a centre, has agreed a contract with the Top 14 champions until June 2021.

Moala was the stand-out player in the Super Rugby 2015 season, notching up approximately 60 tackle busts, covering 900m with ball in hand and continuously being a threat to the opposition.

In the final match of the 2015 season against the Highlanders, former All-Black Jeff Wilson compared Moala to Ma’a Nonu, due to similarities in physic and playing style but also the fact that Moala, like Nonu, originated playing on the wing and then transitioned into center.

Moala earned four caps for New Zealand but has been overlooked since facing Ireland in Chicago in November 2016.

Clermont confirmed the signing of Tim Nanai-Williams earlier this month and will add another New Zealander to their ranks next year in the form of Moala.

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Franck Azema, the Clermont boss, said: “With nearly 70 matches in Super Rugby and four caps for the All Blacks, he is an experienced and very high-level player.”

Moala has been unable to force his way back into the All Blacks reckoning due to the form of Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Ngani Laumape and Jack Goodhue.

 

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