Sam Cane: New Zealand captain to play season for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's Rugby League One

Cane will join Suntory, who finished third in last season's Japan Rugby League One table

New Zealand captain Sam Cane will play a season for Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath following the disappointment of the World Cup final.

The 31-year-old was sent off for a high tackle in the 12-11 loss to South Africa in October's sin France.

He has decided to take up a sabbatical option in his Waikato Chiefs contract and will miss the 2024 Super Rugby campaign in his homeland.

"It wasn't an easy decision to skip a season with the Chiefs," said Cane.

"But I know the team is in a great place and has an incredible group of leaders in the squad and coaching group to have a successful 2024," he added.

"When the opportunity to play for Suntory in 2024 came up it felt like the right time, following the Rugby World Cup, to try something new."

Loose forward Cane, who has played 95 tests for his country, left his All Blacks team-mates a man down for most of the game as South Africa clinched a record fourth Rugby World Cup title.

His high tackle on Jesse Kriel in the 27th minute saw him become the first male player in World Cup history to be sent off in the final, something Cane said he will have to "live with forever".

Cane, whose national contract runs through to the end of 2025, will return to New Zealand next June to be available for selection for the international season.

"I'm really pleased to be able to return in time to put my best foot forward for selection in the All Blacks," Cane said.

Mark Robinson, chief executive of New Zealand Rugby, said: "There are very few players who have given as much as he has and it's a mark of his commitment to the All Blacks that he will return and make himself available for the Test season."