Payne off to join Ulster

Irish eyes will be smiling when the 2011-2012 Magners League season starts, with Ulster Rugby securing a three-year deal with Northland captain and Blues centre Jared Payne.
The 25-year-old is set to join the Belfast club in September after his fourth ITM Cup season with Northland, having initially played for the province in 2008.
Payne's Super 15 season with his new Blues franchise has been outstanding, and talk was beginning to circulate about whether the versatile back, who plays wing, centre or fullback, should be in the national frame.
But having spoken with the All Blacks coaching staff, Payne said the Irish club's offer was an opportunity too good to pass up.
"I had a bit of feedback from the All Black coaches who said I was playing reasonably well.
"But I can't really rely on that [making the All Blacks] to happen and I didn't want to miss out on this chance. I guess it puts me out of the picture but you never know, I will see when I come back to New Zealand.
"Playing overseas might make me a better player - or it could make me worse," Payne quipped.
His decision to leave New Zealand was not made lightly. While the money on offer in Belfast was good, Payne said that was not the deciding factor.
"Ulster director of rugby David Humphries got in touch with me after the second round of Super 15, and it was a bloody tough decision to leave, but I had been thinking about it for a while.
"I have always wanted to play overseas but I didn't think it would happen so soon. It is an awesome opportunity and one that might not come again so I'm taking it while it's there."
Payne admitted not knowing too much about Ulster rugby or Belfast but said it was reassuring that teammate John Afoa, who has just signed a two and a half year deal with Ulster Rugby, would be heading to the club at the same time.
"I've watched a couple of games, and I do know they are a young team who are trying to improve. They use the ball well for a Northern Hemisphere team and hopefully I will fit in well."
Ulster finished third - one spot higher than the previous season - in the 2010-2011 Magners League competition, behind Irish heavyweights Munster and Leinster, teams that also boast many Kiwi imports.
Although he has been to France to represent the NZ Under-21 side, the trip in September will be his first to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Payne was a national age group representative and schools sevens star, along with a NZ Under-21 representative before making his provincial debut for Waikato in 2006. After spending two seasons there and one with the Chiefs in 2007, Payne moved to Northland in 2008 and captained the side from 2009. In that same year, the dynamic back took up an offer from the Crusaders to play Super 14 Rugby and spent two years with the franchise before signing with the Blues for the 2011 season.
His decision was a bit of a surprise to Blues coaches Pat Lam and Bryce Woodward but they were supportive of Payne.
"I think Bryce and Pat were a bit disappointed but they understand the opportunity I have and why I am going," Payne said.
In the meantime, Payne's focus remained with his current team - the Blues, who face the Cheetahs at Toll Stadium today at 5.30pm. "The Cheetahs are a pretty good team and they have shown they can knock off some good teams.
"We will need to be on our game if we want to win. I'm looking forward to it and it will be awesome to get a good crowd along and make it a bit of a home game for the Northland guys."
Blues: Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger, Jared Payne, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Albie Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Chris Lowrey, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, James King, Mat Luamanu, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley.
Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Philip Burger , Robert Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Wilmaure Louw, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Davon Raubenheimer, Phillip Van der Walt, Kabamba Floors, Wilhelm Steenkamp (c), Francois Uys, W.P. Nel, Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuisen. Reserves: Skipper Badenhorst, Lourens Adriaanse, Isak Van Der Westhuizen, Ashley Johnson, Tewis De Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Barry Geel.