Ellison had spent two years at the Tokyo-based outfit and played so well on his return to the Highlanders that he was a virtual automatic selection for the All Blacks.
Once back in the fold he appeared settled and happy and he didn't have great things to say about the rugby in Japan. Significantly, too, his warning to Highlanders' teammate Hosea Gear was a big factor in the wing not taking up a contract in the country after he was on the brink of signing and putting his All Blacks chances at risk.
"I worked out over there that if you are really passionate about the game, you really struggle to play for those other reasons," Ellison, now 30, said last year.
"I struggled to get out of bed [to go to work] and that's the first time I've struggled to do that with rugby.
"I don't want to undermine their rugby ... But I thought it was now or never really," he said of having another shot at the All Blacks.
Now, alas, he's off again, leaving Hansen with a growing midfield dilemma.
It is understood that Ellison had made the All Blacks coaches aware of his intentions. He didn't do a Richard Kahui - the Chiefs midfielder blindsiding Hansen and Co with the news, but it is still extremely disappointing for the men in charge of the national team.
Ellison, in South Africa with the Highlanders, has not yet formally announced his move, but the New Zealand Rugby Football general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen yesterday confirmed the player had activated a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave after this Super Rugby season.
Ellison, who has played four tests for the All Blacks (three last year), returned to the field from chest surgery last weekend when playing a starring role at centre for the Highlanders in their victory over the Sharks in Dunedin. It was their first win of the season.
His form was such that it suggested Hansen would have one fewer thing to worry about in terms of his midfield.
Hansen is already missing Kahui, whose latest shoulder injury has put even his Japan trip in August in doubt. Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith, concussed at the weekend, is set to take a sabbatical at the end of the year, Blues player Rene Ranger is talking to French club Montpellier and Highlander Ma'a Nonu is out of form and injured. He didn't make his team's trip to the Republic.
What Hansen would give for the return of Sonny Bill Williams.
Ellison and Ranger will be possibilities for the June internationals against France, but beyond that Hansen faces a real shortage.
It is understood that Ellison's move has been prompted by a desire to not only earn more money but also for an easier, less taxing rugby lifestyle. They are both worthy reasons.
In his own words, however, it's a rugby lifestyle likely to be less passionate than his current one.
