Kahui to quit NZ rugby

Wellington - Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Richard Kahui has announced he will play in Japan at the end of the Super Rugby season after signing a two-year deal with Top League club Toshiba Brave Lupus.

The midfielder was a key member of New Zealand's World Cup-winning team in 2011 and helped the Chiefs to the Super Rugby title last year, although his career has been blighted by injury.

The 27-year-old said in a statement posted on the Chiefs' website late on Wednesday that he was looking forward to a final season in New Zealand and regretted leaving the club he loved but needed to look to the future.

"It is no secret that I have had my fair share of injuries which have forced me to make some very hard decisions about my future and make the most of the opportunities while I can," he said.

Persistent shoulder problems have plagued Kahui since his international debut in 2008, restricting him to just 17 Tests, in which he scored 10 tries.

He has been sidelined whenever Test selectors have come calling over the past 15 months, with his last appearance for the All Blacks in the World Cup final win over France in October 2011.