Report: McKenzie signs deal with Japanese club

All Blacks and Chiefs' playmaker Damian McKenzie will skip Super Rugby next year after signing a lucrative deal to replace Beauden Barrett at Japanese club Suntory, according to a report by the New Zealand Herald.

The 26-year-old is off-contract at the end of the current season and according to the Helard, he has signed a five-month deal to link with Suntory Sungoliath after the end of year tour. 

McKenzie is set to join the same club Beauden Barrett represented earlier this year. Suntory is the same team that Eddie Jones has worked with over the years, in an advisory and head coach role.

Suntory has a recent history of signing top playmakers to feature at flyhalf for the side with Matt Giteau featuring for the side between 2017 & 2020 before Barrett filled his void.

Barrett reportedly earned $1.5 million during his stint in Japan with McKenzie likely to earn a similar sum with Suntory known for being big spenders.

The Herald states that McKenzie is yet to complete a contract to return to New Zealand Rugby which is holding up any official announcement.

McKenzie will miss the 2022 Super Rugby season for the Chiefs but will likely still be available for the All Blacks in the mid-year internationals and Rugby Championship, as has been the case with Barrett, Perenara and Retallick this year. 

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