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'I haven't looked back' - Piutau reflects on decision to leave New Zealand

Charles Piutau of Bristol Bears. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Former All Blacks wing Charles Piutau has opened up about his decision to shift overseas, leaving the black jersey and New Zealand behind.

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Piutau made his last appearance for the All Blacks before the 2015 World Cup, leaving with 17 tests under his belt and opting to join Premiership side Wasps in England.

Piutau has since shifted around Europe, first to Irish side Ulster, before returning to England with the recently promoted Bristol Bears, where he reportedly makes NZ$1.94m per season.

Piutau says that the decision to leave New Zealand was the best career move he could have made.

“If I was to retire today, I’d say my legacy was showing that leaving New Zealand early, you can still make a career for yourself,” Piutau told INews.

“I haven’t looked back and regretted it once.”

Piutau also said that he’s eager to reward Bristol for their faith in him, targeting a return to the top of the Premiership with the Bears.

“Seeing what it means to the Bristol fans, and where the club has been, up and down, I am loving this environment.

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“I want to look back and see I was part of the Bristol team solidifying it as a strong household name in the premiership. We can create something that future generations can carry on.

“You see it internationally, with what the All Blacks have done. It would be great to see the same from a Bristol Bears perspective.”

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Phantom 47 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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