Two-Test All-Black and Fijian back-rower Pita Gus Sowakula has opened up about his tough decision to leave New Zealand Rugby by signing up for French powerhouse Clermont.
Sowakula made his All Blacks debut last year against Ireland and scored a try in their convincing 42-19 win at Eden Park.
The 28-year-old is still a bit “unsure” about what happened later in the year after missing out on the All Blacks squad for The Rugby Championship, Sowakula was also overlooked for the All Blacks XV team – a squad which was ultimately a New Zealand ‘B’ team.
Reflecting on his decision to head overseas to France – a country that he’s never been to – Sowakula says that while it was a tough decision to make, it’s the perfect time for him to go.
Sowakula says he is thinking about his daughter as he wants to provide for her as well.
He adds this is the perfect time for him and his family to go and pursue the dream while they still have the motivation.
Sowakula says the All Blacks dream is still there for the World Cup or the Rugby Championship coming up but his focus for now is just on playing his best rugby for the Chiefs and the All Blacks dream is still there.
Sowakula has been sensational for the ladder-leading Chiefs this season and has helped the Hamilton-based franchise secure the minor premiership after an almost perfect regular season campaign.
He has formed a formidable loose forward trio with co-captain Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs will take on the Reds at 4.35pm this Saturday in the second quarter final of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
In other quarter final matches this week, the Blues play the Waratahs at 7.35pm Friday, the Crusaders host the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at 7.05pm Saturday while the Brumbies take on the Hurricanes at 9.35pm Saturday.
[Source: rugbypass]
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