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Auckland - Blues centre and Northland captain Jared Payne has signed to play for Irish club Ulster, while Waikato and former Chiefs utility back Sosene Anesi is poised to join Japanese club NTT Communications at the end of the Vodacom Super Rugby season.
According to the allblacks.com website, Payne, 25, will start a three-year contract which sees him join Ulster once his 2011 rugby commitments in New Zealand end.
"Making these decisions in the middle of Super Rugby is not easy, but that's the way it works in this game," Payne said.
"I'm really enjoying my rugby and being part of the Blues however, I also have ambitions to play rugby overseas while I am young and fit."
"Jared has been impressive for the Blues this year." Blues coach Pat Lam said.
Anesi, the one-Test All Black, who has been unable to force his way into the Waratahs match-day squad so far this year, announced his latest career move shortly before the Waratahs played the Chiefs at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 29 year-old, a 103 game veteran for Waikato, is seen as a replacement for former Wallabies fullback Mark Gerrard, who returned to Australia to become a foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels.
Anesi joined the Waratahs last year as a marquee player but was soon displaced at fullback by Kurtley Beale, who progressed to make the No 15 jersey his own at international level.
Anesi made 12 appearances for the Waratahs last year but has been unable to break into a Test-quality back three comprising Beale, Drew Mitchell and Lachlan Turner seven rounds into the 2011 tournament.
According to the allblacks.com website, Payne, 25, will start a three-year contract which sees him join Ulster once his 2011 rugby commitments in New Zealand end.
"Making these decisions in the middle of Super Rugby is not easy, but that's the way it works in this game," Payne said.
"I'm really enjoying my rugby and being part of the Blues however, I also have ambitions to play rugby overseas while I am young and fit."
"Jared has been impressive for the Blues this year." Blues coach Pat Lam said.
Anesi, the one-Test All Black, who has been unable to force his way into the Waratahs match-day squad so far this year, announced his latest career move shortly before the Waratahs played the Chiefs at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 29 year-old, a 103 game veteran for Waikato, is seen as a replacement for former Wallabies fullback Mark Gerrard, who returned to Australia to become a foundation member of the Melbourne Rebels.
Anesi joined the Waratahs last year as a marquee player but was soon displaced at fullback by Kurtley Beale, who progressed to make the No 15 jersey his own at international level.
Anesi made 12 appearances for the Waratahs last year but has been unable to break into a Test-quality back three comprising Beale, Drew Mitchell and Lachlan Turner seven rounds into the 2011 tournament.
