All Black star Rush signs for Blues

All Blacks and Auckland Blues number eight Xavier Rush has confirmed he is to move to Wales to join Cardiff Blues.

Rush will join the Welsh side at the conclusion of New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship later this year.

The 27-year-old has played 80 games for Auckland and led them to the NPC title in 2002 and 2003.

He has also played 86 Super 12 games for the Blues and captained the side from 2003 when they won the title.

Rush played the last of his eight Tests for New Zealand against South Africa in the Tri-Nations last year, but is out of the frame for All Blacks selection for the upcoming tour by the Irish Lions and this season’s Tri-Nations.

Rush has decided the time is right to move on.

“It was a difficult decision to make. However I have always wanted to play overseas and wanted to do so while I was still young enough to make a worthwhile contribution to the team I would play for. I didn’t want it to be a retirement package,” he said.

Auckland NPC head coach Pat Lam, who had successful spells with Northampton Saints and Newcastle Falcons, admitted a player of Rush’s experience would be missed.

“Xavier has been a fine player for Auckland and I know he will want to make his final NPC campaign a successful one,” said Lam.

“In the professional environment we have to accept that players will look for new experiences and opportunities.”

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who also worked with Rush at the Blues before he took the national coaching job, praised Rush’s contribution.

“He has been immense and an outstanding leader for Auckland. He and Carlos Spencer have been commanding figures within Auckland rugby.

“He did very well this year when the Blues were destroyed by injury had no lineout height and a baby back line. I think he’s done a great job. I’ve got a lot of time for him as a person and a player.”

Rush joins Justin Marshall (Leeds) and Spencer (Northampton Saints) in the rush to the northern hemisphere.