Having the flexibility to earn extra income in Japanese rugby while keeping his Wallabies ambitions alive was a key factor in Christian Lealiifano remaining at the ACT Brumbies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After seeing Matt Toomua and Stephen Moore declare their intention to depart at the end of this season, the Brumbies finally received positive news on the re-signing front with Lealiifano committing until the end of 2018.
The two-year deal, which includes an agreement with the Australian Rugby Union, allows Lealiifano to take up a lucrative contract in Japan in 2016-17 and 2017-18.
"I needed some financial stability as well and that was a massive drawcard for me, to have some flexibility and to keep my dreams alive of still representing the country and the Brumbies," Lealiifano said.
"I felt like I needed a little bit of a change without leaving the Brumbies full-time.
"I'm glad all the stars have aligned and I'm able to play some footy over there and experience a different culture."
Lealiifano's commitments in Japan will mean he will miss the start of pre-season training with the Brumbies, but it will not affect his availability for the Super Rugby season.
It will also mean he remains in the frame for national selection, something that would not have been the case if he had accepted one of the many deals on offer in Europe as he has played less than 60 Tests.
"There was definitely a lot of offers from Europe, the UK and all that kind of stuff, but ideally I'd love to stay here as long as I can," he said.
"The hardest thing to go to Europe, I don't have the 60-cap window where I can come back.
"That was the deciding thing for me. I've still got a lot more to give to Australian rugby and that's the plans for the next couple of years."
Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was among the people Lealiifano touched base with when he was in Japan last year for a World XV game.
Deans has been a revelation in Japan, winning his third straight Top League title last weekend.
"I spoke to Berrick Barnes and Robbie Deans about the rugby over there and [Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham] has coached over there and played," Lealiifano said. "It definitely helped with my decision."
Lealiifano's vast experience of 101 Super Rugby caps will be important to the Brumbies given the impending departures of Toomua and Moore.
"When Stephen Moore announced his decision, [the Brumbies] jumped at mine pretty quick to keep me with Matty leaving and a couple others," Lealiifano said.
"I was really disappointed because I'm really close with both of those guys and we've been through this journey together, but at the end of the day, you've got to try and look after yourself.
"Everyone's own situation is looking after No.1 first and look at those things after.
"I believe there's still enough talent in this place to keep it in good stead."
