Charles Piutau this morning spoke publicly for the first time since signing with Irish club Ulster rather than the Blues and New Zealand Rugby, saying he understood the 'shock' that has come with his decision which he called one of the hardest he has made in his life.
Piutau, who will start his two-year contract with the Belfast club in July 2016, a decision that has put his World Cup selection hopes at risk, read a prepared statement alongside Blues chief executive Michael Redman and coach John Kirwan before answering questions from the assembled media at the Blues headquarters in Auckland.
"I can confirm that I've signed a two-year deal with the Irish club Ulster," he said. "This decision has been extremely hard, a tough decision to make. I can assure you I've been through an intense past few weeks, consulting with friends, family, church, and other various people, who are part of my support team, to make this decision.
"I'm looking forward to a new challenge of living in a new country, experiencing a new culture and playing a different style of rugby. It's a two-year plan which I believe will develop me as a player and as a person.
"My firm focus right now is the Blues and my teammates, to work hard at turning around our season. We have a tough game this week against the Chiefs, and I'm also passionate about playing for the All Blacks. I'll do my best and put my best foot forward to wear the black jersey at the end of the year."
Piutau said he had no way of knowing whether or not his All Blacks chances had been harmed by his decision. Coach Steve Hansen has already gone on record as saying he is disappointed.
"I'm not sure, it's out of my hands. All I can do is focus on my performance and I'm going to be playing out of my skin for my Blues team this season," Piutau said.
"I totally can understand I guess the shock that comes with it, but like I said I feel this is the right decision for me and my life moving forward and I'm happy with that."
Piutau said he hadn't spoken to Hansen, but had met assistant coach Ian Foster before and after his decision. Asked how Foster reacted, Piutau said: "I think you would all know."
He added of ruling himself out of the 2016 Olympics sevens team and British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017: "I don't think I can find words to express how hard it was."
The money -- understood to be about $1 million a season -- was clearly a big drawcard, but Piutau added: "To me it was to be out of my comfort zone here -- more so outside of rugby as well. To experience something new, that was the main factor."
Redman said the Blues wanted him before he left next year but it was New Zealand Rugby's decision to make.
"We'll put our case forward and we've signalled that to them, but we respect the fact that it's their decision in the end," Redman said.
Piutau will play overseas elsewhere before taking up his Ulster contract if he is not able to play for the Blues.
By Patrick McKendry
