Brad Thorn says he will miss the South and its friendly people, and he is disappointed he cannot finish his career here.
Thorn, who will turn 40 in February, left Dunedin yesterday for the United Kingdom, where he will link with an unnamed club.
He also revealed he could have signed with a franchise ''up north'' but felt that would have been a step too far.
Thorn declined to name the club he is joining in the United Kingdom, saying it was still under wraps, but he was aiming to get back on the field by the end of next month.
The 59-test All Black said he had really enjoyed his two seasons in the South and had made some good friends.
''I feel like I have a real connection with the people down here.
"First of all, it is where I am originally from. My mum and dad were here when they had me and my brother.
"It is close to Central Otago, where I have a lot of memories growing up,'' Thorn said.
''It is just a neat city. Sure, it is a bit cold sometimes ... You can get around pretty well, people are friendly.
"There is enough going on. I like the restaurants, too.
''Probably, the highlight is the connection with people.
"It is almost like I can say 'hi' to most people that I walk past. It is really nice. Probably more so than I have been anywhere.
"It is nice to come back where you are originally from and I think there is a warmth here. People are happy to see you.''
Thorn suffered a nasty arm injury this year, ripping biceps off his bone in his right arm in April.
But he is back in the gym now and keen to get back on the field.
He wanted to play for the Highlanders next year but coach Jamie Joseph did not want him on the field and offered him a role as a forwards and strength coach.
''That would have been a nice opportunity but I want to play. This is like my first injury ... I'm still passionate about footy. It was not a question of me about playing.
"To me it would have been nice to play in front of these people here. That was what I was leaning towards. But that is the reality of pro footy.
"I have been around for 20 years. I know how things go. It would have been a nice natural finish.''
Thorn said he had an offer to head to a franchise further north but was not comfortable with making the move.
''I had an opportunity there. But I have played with the Crusaders and the Highlanders and some people would have not been too happy with that.''
Thorn, who made his first-grade debut in 1994 for the Brisbane Broncos, declined to name the franchise but the Blues have been in the market for a lock, announcing the signing of Josh Bekhuis on Thursday.
Thorn said whatever happened this was his last year on the field.
''This will be my final year, fingers crossed. But no-one believes me. I feel like to could play one more year. This is a chance to play some footy.
''There is some big footy to play overseas. And that really fires me.
"I'm a guy who loves the tight stuff, loves the scrummaging, loves the mauling, counter-mauling, the physical play.
"The rugby is going to suit me. I'm just going to give my best that I always have. And maybe at the end me and my wife will be able to have a look around Europe with the kids.''
Thorn was undecided on where the family would eventually settle but favoured Brisbane. He had been talking to New Zealand Rugby Union high performance manager Don Tricker about things but nothing was set in stone once he hung the boots up.
His whole family - wife Mary-Anne, and children Brendan (10), Aiden (9), David (7) and Neva (5) - will go to the United Kingdom with him, and Thorn said it was tough for his children leaving friends behind at at St Francis Xavier school.
''But they love it. We are like tent people. We've lived in a lot of houses.
"But we love it over there. My wife's heritage is from Malta, so we can go there.
"They are real travellers, my kids. They do not see it as daunting.
''When you leave other places you sort of just leave and that's that. But here there is a bit of sadness in leaving.
"I think it is because there is a real connection with the place, and also my relations and that are here.''
He held no animosity towards Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph for not re-signing him and said Joseph was passionate about the province and rugby.
Thorn said his Grace church had been great and he was looking forward to seeing the sights of Europe.
''That was the hardest thing with the All Blacks, being away from the family. I was ready to give it up.
"I remember going to Big Ben in London with them. Having my kids and my wife beside me. I was just so pumped.
"I had been there so many times before with the All Blacks but that time was so much better.''
