Blackie joins New Zealand exodus

Highlanders and Otago captain Josh Blackie has continued the exodus from New Zealand after agreeing a deal to play in Japan.

The 27-year-old flanker, who was handed the Highlanders captaincy at the start of the season, has played more than 55 Super 14 matches, 73 games for Otago and enjoyed stints with the Junior All Blacks and national sevens set-up, winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games last year.