The All Black second five Ma'a Nonu says the desire to carry on playing for the national side was the motivating factor in his decision to stay in New Zealand for another two years.
Nonu will play for the Blues for the next two years, although his agreement with the NZRU allows him to have a sabbatical at the end of the year and he'll join the Japanese side the Ricoh Black Rams for a couple of months before returning for next year's Super Rugby season.
Nonu was told by the Hurricanes coach Mark Hammet last month that he wouldn't be offered another contract with the side he'd previously played all his rugby for.
The 29-year-old says he's happy he's continuing his career in New Zealand and it was a family decision to go to the Blues.
The NZRU has re-signed a number of their experienced players in recent months and chief executive Steve Tew says they're delighted to be able to keep another one of the world's best players here.
Tew says sabbaticals are all part of their negotiations now.
