Stephen Perofeta’s reported move to Japan has added another major storyline to New Zealand rugby’s growing player-retention problem, with the Blues playmaker now expected to leave the country after the 2026 season.
The 29-year-old All Blacks back is reportedly closing in on a deal with Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan Rugby League One, a move that would take one of the Blues’ most experienced and versatile backs out of Super Rugby just one year before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Perofeta’s situation is especially important because this is not simply a regular overseas transfer. He is a six-Test All Black, a proven Super Rugby performer, a goal-kicking option and a player who can cover both first-five and fullback. For the Blues, that combination is difficult to replace.
The reported move would also reunite Perofeta with former Blues coach Leon MacDonald, who is now linked with Yokohama Canon Eagles. That connection could make Japan an attractive landing spot for a player entering a key stage of his career.
Perofeta has made 72 appearances for the Blues and 65 appearances for Taranaki at NPC level. Since his All Blacks debut in 2022, he has been viewed as a calm, skilful backline option, although injuries have limited his chances to build a longer run in the national side.
His international role has often been shaped by competition as much as form. New Zealand already has several high-profile playmakers in the mix, including Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie, while Richie Mo’unga’s possible return to the domestic picture has created even more pressure around the No.10 conversation.
For Perofeta, Japan may offer something New Zealand cannot guarantee: a clear role, strong financial security and a familiar coaching environment. For New Zealand Rugby, however, it is another uncomfortable reminder that Super Rugby is finding it harder to keep experienced players at home.
Why Perofeta’s expected exit is a major Blues concern
The Blues are not just losing depth if Perofeta leaves. They are losing a player who gives the squad tactical flexibility. He can start at first-five, slot in at fullback, take pressure off other kickers and help manage games when the pace gets chaotic.
That kind of player becomes even more valuable during a long Super Rugby campaign. Injuries, rotation and international workload management often test squad depth, and Perofeta has been one of the players capable of covering multiple problems at once.
Reports suggest Highlanders first-five Cameron Millar could move north to replace him. Millar has played 31 matches for the Highlanders and is considered one of the more promising young playmakers in New Zealand rugby.
That potential move could also create a wider transfer chain, with Josh Jacomb expected to head from the Chiefs to the Highlanders. In that sense, Perofeta’s reported Japan switch may end up reshaping more than one Super Rugby squad before the next season begins.
The Blues already have star quality in their backline, but experience at No.10 remains one of the hardest things to replace. A young player can bring energy and attacking skill, but game control usually takes years to develop.
Perofeta’s calm decision-making has often been one of his biggest strengths. He may not always dominate headlines, but coaches value players who understand tempo, territory and pressure. That is why his expected departure carries more weight than a simple squad list change.
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Perofeta is also part of a wider trend. Several New Zealand-based players have already been linked with offshore moves, including Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, AJ Lam, Devan Flanders, Fehi Fineanganofo, Sevu Reece, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Riley Higgins.
Each case has its own reasons, but together they point to the same issue: overseas competitions are becoming increasingly attractive for players who have given years to Super Rugby and are now looking for stronger contracts or a different lifestyle.
Japan Rugby League One has become one of the most appealing destinations because it offers competitive salaries, strong facilities and a shorter season compared with the demands of Super Rugby and international travel. More details about the competition are available on the official Japan Rugby League One website.
For players approaching 30, the decision is often practical. Rugby careers are short, injuries can change everything quickly, and a strong overseas deal can provide long-term security. Perofeta has already dealt with injury setbacks, which may make the timing of this reported move even more understandable.
From an All Blacks perspective, the move would likely reduce his selection chances while he remains overseas. New Zealand’s eligibility rules have traditionally favoured home-based players, meaning a Japan move could push Perofeta further away from the national side before the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
That may be a risk he is willing to take. With Mo’unga, Barrett, McKenzie and younger playmakers all fighting for attention, Perofeta’s path to a settled All Blacks role was far from guaranteed.
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The bigger question now is how the Blues respond. If Millar does arrive, he will enter a demanding environment where expectations are high and comparisons will come quickly. Replacing Perofeta’s experience, positional coverage and goal-kicking value will not be simple.
For New Zealand Rugby, this reported deal should feel like another warning. The country continues to produce elite rugby talent, but keeping that talent in Super Rugby is becoming more difficult every year.
Perofeta’s reported move to Yokohama Canon Eagles may make sense for the player, but for the Blues and New Zealand rugby, it leaves another gap at a time when depth, experience and World Cup planning matter more than ever.
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