Charles Piutau happy to choose money over the All Blacks

Piutau ‘didn’t want to go back’ to NZDate published: September 13 2017
Former All Blacks utility-back Charles Piutau has said putting finances first and playing in Europe was not a difficult decision as opposed to attempting to earn an All Blacks recall.The 25-year-old moves from Ulster to Bristol next season and will become one of rugby's highest earners according to a Press Association report.ADVERTISING
He did chat to New Zealand Rugby about a possible Super Rugby return before his switch to England."After catching up with people in the union it became clear that I didn't want to go back," he told the agency."So after that, it was an easy option for me to stay in the north."The 17-Test All Black admitted he loved the All Blacks jersey and what it stood for."But when it comes to a place when you can earn for your family and there's a better opportunity, to me it was an easy decision. I'll always choose my financial stability over anything else," added Piutau."I'm so thankful for everything that happened in New Zealand, but as well as wanting to provide for my family, I also wanted to experience this side of the world." Piutau will be playing alongside older brother Siale at Bristol and will be coached by former Blues mentor Pat Lam.The younger Piutau has also joined the players' board of Pacific Rugby Players' Welfare (PRPW), whose aim is to further the interests of Pacific Islanders based in Europe."Joining PRPW is a chance for me hopefully to give back to the Pacific Islands community in a small way," he said."For players to know they have a support network and a voice when playing in Europe, I think that's important."

Perhaps we will see more of this in the future, i.e. Others Pacific Islanders seeing Europe as a market for their skills. Nz was always first choice for the top prospects but we will see if this holds true. The AB jersey was also a big factor & even if the money was bigger in Europe players stayed in NZ. Plus culturally Europe is a big adjustment & not every player with limited world exposure can handle it. Nz is more comfortable.

 Players from the Islands tend to consider themselves as members of a big family. They are organizing themselves to favour and speed up the adaptation.

Some very insightful and original comments by the Traditionalist. 

 Indeed SB...

 ...The ABS could'nt compete with the money he's being offered anyway even if they did need him... not only is Charles Pikachu the Pro 12 Player of the Year, he is set to becoming the highest paid rugby player in Europe... wheras in Nz he was strugglng to make the AB team - not even selected for the last RWC...so the choice was whether to stay in Europe with his super star status or come back to being just another PI rugby player in the antipodean backwaters of NZ...not a hard choice really..

 
Nothing wrong with hunting a little coin. He did his time and now it's all about securing a future for him and his family.

Besides, I doubt he'll ever impress the confused Hansen who seems to have lost the plot. 

 q