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All Black backrow to leave New Zealand
By Dejan Kalinic
All Blacks and Highlanders loose forward Liam Squire will leave New Zealand at the end of the season to join Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
Squire has played 23 Tests for New Zealand and has agreed to a two-year deal in Japan.
The 27-year-old, a veteran of 44 Super Rugby games, said he was keen to leave the Highlanders on the back of a successful season.
"It seems like the right time to go. I have really loved my time in New Zealand with the Tasman Mako and in particular down here with the Highlanders," Squire said in a statement on Monday.
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"It's a club that gave me a chance and I appreciate the support I have had in the south. I am certainly keen to have a really good last season with the guys."
Squire made his Test debut against Wales in June 2016 and quickly established himself as a regular for the world champions.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is excited by what Squire will bring to his team in 2019, particular with the Rugby World Cup starting in September.
"Liam has grown into an outstanding rugby player since coming into the All Blacks in 2016 and we again look forward to seeing how he goes this year," he said.
"His physicality, pace and skills are a real point of difference and he's a really well-rounded player.
"We wish him all the best for his Japanese adventure next year."
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Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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