One Test All Black Charlie Ngatai signs with French club Lyon
ONE Test All Black and Chiefs star Charlie Ngatai has joined the New Zealand rugby exodus to Europe, with the concussion plagued centre signing a two-year contract with French Top 14 club Lyon.
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ALL Black Charlie Ngatai will join Lyon on a two-year contract from next season, the Top 14 club has announced.
The 27-year-old back, capped once in 2015 against Samoa, signs from the Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs.
Ngatai has also won 12 caps for the Maori All Blacks, touring Europe twice with the team, in 2012 and 2015.
He is Lyon’s fifth signing for next season after prop Raphael Chaume, flanker Patrick Sobela, halfback Jean-Marc Doussain and winger Noa Nakaitaci.
Ngatai’s departure comes hard on the heels of All Blacks fly half Lima Sopoaga and Wellington captain Brad Shields signing with English Premiership club Wasps.
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“There’s a lot of young players coming through in New Zealand, and places in the All Blacks team are a lot harder,” the concussion prone Ngatai told reporters.
“I guess a lot of it comes down to money as well.
“A lot of thinking, myself and my wife.
“But we sat down and thought about giving overseas a crack.
“I’ll be around 28, the kids are still young, so we said ‘why not?’
“So I look forward to it really.
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“And it’s a new challenge, I guess that’s why other players go over, it’s a different lifestyle, and just something to look forward to.
“I’ve said to my wife before that I want to take them overseas and experience what I’ve experienced due to travelling.
“I guess you’ve played here for so long, so there’s always a lot of motivation to go out on a high, and that’s what I’m looking for this season, giving it all for the Chiefs.”
Originally published as One Test All Black Charlie Ngatai signs with French club Lyon
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