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Many voices rise, in the country of long white cloud, to worry about the departure of the star winger Mark Tele’a who, by a career choice, makes a cross on the national selection.
New Zealand is in shock. This Tuesday, April 15, according to the New Zealand press, the star winger of the All-Blacks, Mark Tele’a, confirmed that he was leaving his club from Auckland Blues to go to Japan. This, at the end of 2025.
At 28, the player who has illuminated the international scene in recent years has decided to turn the page, ending his adventure with the Blues but also, with the national selection. Indeed: the rule in New Zealand wants any player who claims to wear the prestigious black jersey of the national selection must play, in club, in the country.
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Mark Tele’a will thus join the Toyota Verbitz, where he should find the coaches Ian Foster and Sir Steve Hansen, two former selectors of the All-Blacks. This departure is part of a disturbing trend: more and more New Zealand stars choose to join Japan rather than wearing the All Blacks jersey, and Tele’a is only the latest to make this decision.
By announcing his departure on Instagram, Tele’a farewell to New Zealand fans, thanking the players, coaches and supporters for these “incredible years”. At 28, he is in great shape, but with a career started late. He estimates that it is time to secure his financial future.
“Huge loss”
This departure is not an isolated case. Tele’a follows the traces of players like Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell or Beauden Barrett (Toyota Verblitz also for the latter), who opted for lucrative contracts abroad, far from the historic attraction of the black jersey.
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This alarm phenomenon The former All Blacks players, including Jeff Wilson (60 selections) and Mils Muliaina (100 selections). “The All Black jersey no longer means anything for them, today’s players,” said Muliaina, visibly concerned about this development, as reported by the Planetrugby specialized media. Wilson is talking about “huge loss” for New Zealand. The departure of Tele’a, at its peak, shows that even the most talented players are no longer attached to the selection as they were in the past.
The question now arises is that of the future of All Blacks, while the 2027 World Cup is approaching. This departure comes at a crucial time. The risk for New Zealand rugby: to be without its best elements when the next generation should be ready.
If the loss of Tele’a is undeniably a hard blow, the All Blacks do not lack talent ready to take over. The winger Caleb Clarke, 26, is a candidate of choice to fill this void. The powerful player, also requested internationally, is under contract with NZR until the end of 2025, and his priority will be to stay in New Zealand. Alongside him, Leicester Fainga’anuku, currently in Toulon, will return in 2026 with the Crusaders and could quickly win in the team.
