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Man-Love: All Blacks Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina - Source: Photosport
It's no big surprise but All Black fullback Mils Muliaina is
heading overseas at the end of the year.
The 30-year-old, 94-Test All Black has announced he has signed a
two-year contract with the Japanese club NTT Docomo from next
year.
It has been widely reported, for quite some time, that the Chiefs
and Waikato stalwart will be leaving New Zealand rugby after the
World Cup and this morning, he merely confirmed it.
Injury permitting, Muliaina is expected to raise 100 Test caps with
All Black captain Richie McCaw at this year's World Cup but he says
there have been many other highlights.
"I consider myself to have been incredibly lucky with my career in
New Zealand," Muliaina said via a statement.
"Rugby has offered me so many wonderful opportunities and
experiences that will stay with me forever.
"It's hard to single any one moment out but obviously winning
Commonwealth Gold and the opportunity to captain my country were
things I thought were only dreams when I was growing up.
"But, once this season is over it will be time for something
different. Japan itself offers a completely different culture and
way of life that my entire family is looking forward to
experiencing."
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has known Muliaina since he moved
from Southland to Auckland as a schoolboy and paid tribute to his
contribution to New Zealand rugby.
"Mils goes to Japan next year with the best wishes of everyone
involved in the All Blacks. He is a special All Black; along with
Richie McCaw our most capped Test player; an outstanding footballer
who is the best in the world in his position," Henry said.
"Mils is a natural leader, he has tremendous respect of his peers
and has helped considerably in the development of younger
players.
"He has been a key member of the leadership group and has also
captained the team when Richie has been injured.
"We will get the chance to thanks Mils personally for his
contribution and commitment to the All Blacks later this year but
for now, we congratulate him and wife Hayley on the next exciting
adventure."
One of the best fullbacks in world rugby, Muliaina made his
provincial debut for Auckland in 1999, his Super Rugby debut for
the Blues in 2001 and his All Blacks debut against England in 2003
and has been the first-choice fullback since then.
In 2004 he was the only player selected for every Test and
captained the All Blacks in three Tests in 2009.
He jointly holds the All Blacks Test record of 94 with Richie McCaw
and has scored 32 tries for 160 points, putting him eighth on the
Test try-scoring list and 14th on the all-time Test points-scoring
list.
Muliaina played 49 games for the Blues before transferring to
Waikato and the Chiefs in 2006 and played his 100th Super Rugby and
50th Chiefs match last month.
Muliaina also played for the New Zealand Sevens team from 1999 to
2002, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal at the 2002
Manchester
