Leitch confirms Chiefs departure

Michael Leitch has confirmed that he will leave the Chiefs after this season with an eye towards joining Japanese side Sunwolves.

The planned move should help him and Japan build themselves up for the home 2019 Rugby World Cup, Leitch said.

He said the decision to quit the Chiefs came after Colin Cooper was named to coach the New Zealand team from next year and Canadian forward Tyler Ardron brought in as his replacement.

"I love playing for the Chiefs but they're looking to build for the future with Colin Cooper coming in and they wanted to sign their key players pretty soon so I had to make the decision," he said.

By returning to Japan, his adopted homeland, New Zealand-born Leitch said he will be closer to Japenese head coach Jamie Joseph.

Following the end of the Super Rugby season ends, he will play for the Toshiba Brave Lupus Club in Japan's Top League.

"We're just going to see how the schedule looks and how the Top League season goes, and what type of contract we can negotiate," Leitch said.

"In order to play for Japan at the World Cup you need to be playing for the Sunwolves in 2019 but I guess if Jamie wants me in the mix next season I will be playing for them," he said.