Michael Leitch to play Super Rugby for the Sunwolves in 2019

Michael Leitch might be facing off against the Sunwolves this weekend, but it he has revealed his plans to join the Japanese Super Rugby side in 2019.

The 28-year-old Japan international had originally turned down the opportunity to lead the new franchise in their debut Super Rugby season last year, instead believing the best way to better his game was to stick with the Chiefs.

"[In] 2019 [I] definitely will be playing for the Sunwolves," Leitch said.

"If you look at it, it's a great building block using the Super Rugby to build the [national] team."

Leitch said even 2018 was "fully negotiable", but he would wait to see what the revamped competition looks like.

"We don't know what the draw is, when the tournament's going to start, how much travel is involved," he said.

Having won 47 caps and led the Brave Blossoms on 18 occasions, Leitch put his international career on hold following Rugby World Cup 2015.  

“Leading up to the World Cup there was back-to-back seasons playing Super Rugby, Japan, Toshiba,” he told the New Zealand media.

“What goes up must come down. I’d worked myself up to the point where I was peaking at the World Cup. And that 2016 season I was just no good — my head was in the wrong place, body was no good, and I managed to do half a Super season but ended up banging myself up and needed (thumb) surgery.

“So I made the decision to pull back, focus on two teams. This year I negotiated the Chiefs contract so I get certain rests, and I’m managing my workload a lot better. This year I’m a much better player than I was last year.”