Wallaby fullback Banks heading to Japan on multi-million dollar contract

Brumbies and Wallabies fullback Tom Banks is heading to Japan at the end of the season on multi-million dollar contract according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The move comes for the 20-test Wallaby a year out from the Rugby World Cup in France which puts his international career under a cloud with the current selection policy.

However, the riches on offer were reportedly excessively more than what Rugby Australia could have provided in order to keep him.

The Japanese club is yet to be announced however the size of the deal has been reported as AUD$1.4 million per year on a two year term for a whooping $2.8 million.

Banks told the Sydney Morning Herald that it was not an easy decision but that he 'wasn't 21 anymore' after six years at the Brumbies, the 27-year-old felt it was time for a new experience.

The incumbent fullback is still hopeful that he will be picked to play against England in the upcoming July series, however it is not uncommon for players moving offshore to be left out once they known to be leaving.

“Speaking to ‘Rens’ (Rennie), he was quite upbeat about this year and what that looks like,” Banks told SMH.

“Obviously we have a couple of massive weeks coming up at the Brums, which has my sole focus right now. But yeah, moving forward, if I was lucky enough to get picked for that England series, I would be more than keen and excited to play in that.”

If Banks is to resume his test career from 2023 onward, he would need to be one of the three overseas-based players selected under the current quota.

With the likes of Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, and Quade Cooper all currently playing in Japan and more Wallabies playing in Europe, it will be tough competition, however Banks said he would be available.

He debuted for the Wallabies in 2018 off the bench but was not part of the 2019 World Cup campaign. Banks became a regular starter under Dave Rennie who took over the Wallabies head coaching role in 2020.