Ellison off to Japan

Wellington Lions coach Jamie Joseph says Tamati Ellison's decision to take up a two-year deal in Japan at the end of the Rebel Sport Super 14 is a big blow for the province.

The Wellington and Hurricanes utility back has ended any hopes of a place in Graham Henry's World Cup squad next year by signing a lucrative contract with an as-yet unnamed Japanese side.

"It's always a bombshell when someone decides to head offshore," said Joseph, the newly-appointed New Zealand Maori coach.

"Tamati has been part of the Wellington line-up and going through that decision to go to Japan is a big blow for me personally because I coach him at Wellington."

It is a path Joseph however, is familiar with having opted in the mid 1990s to leave New Zealand rugby for Japan early in his international career.

"I've been there and done that myself and it's a big decision to leave New Zealand rugby to look at things after rugby. He's made that call. Good on him. Big loss."

Wellington and Hurricanes chief executive Greg Peters said Ellison, who made his All Blacks Test debut against Italy last year, would be missed.

"Whilst we are sad to see him go because he's been a loyal servant to both the Hurricanes and Wellington we fully understand and support his decision."

Peters admitted New Zealand franchises were still unable to compete with the financial packages being offered overseas, despite the global economic downturn.

"It's a simple commercial reality that we in New Zealand are never going to be able to match some of the offers offshore," he said.

"Here, we were well short, by a considerable margin, of anything that Tamati – or any other player of a similar level – could get in Japan.

"He's made a decision because he sees his All Blacks chances and the likelihood that a number of players may be looking for contracts at the end of 2011, so he's getting in front of that."

It was not all doom and gloom for Joseph though as he embarks on the latest chapter in his coaching career after being overlooked for the Hurricanes' head coaching role.

"I guess it wasn't my time for the next level of coaching Super 14," he said.

"But there is confidence being shown in me in being able to take the New Zealand Maori team this year.

"That's the challenge ahead for me and I've got a bigger challenge after that with coaching Wellington. That's my focus."

Although the New Zealand Maori fixture list has yet to be announced it is believed matches are being lined up against Wales and England

"I guess we're pretty close but not close enough [to make an announcement yet] but it is going to be a challenge so I'm told," said Joseph.

"I don't envisage us playing too many games. We've got to get a group of guys together from all over the country in a short amount of time and play what we believe is going to be some stiff opposition."