Chiefs prop Toby Smith has committed to playing for Australia after signing a three-year Super Rugby contract with the Melbourne Rebels.
Townsville-born Smith, 24, is in his fourth year with the Chiefs and boasts four seasons of provincial rugby with Waikato.
The loosehead specialist says he has improved considerably at the Chiefs but has decided to chase higher honours across the Tasman from next year.
“I can see the Rebels are building a very competitive rugby team, with a good mix of youth and experience,” he said in a statement.
“I am also looking forward to pressing my claims toward playing Test rugby in the future, and taking advantage of my Australian eligibility.”
He played eight games in their title-winning campaign last year and had started in five of his eight games so far this season for the competition leaders.
Smith was a member of the world championship-winning New Zealand under-20 team in 2008.
He is moving in the opposite direction of three-season Rebels hooker Ged Robinson, 29, the New Zealander who is returning to play provincial rugby for Hawke’s Bay and pursue an All Blacks jersey.