Highly-rated halfback Richard Judd will be joining the Bay of Plenty Steamers for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season.
Judd, 24, has been a consistent and impressive performer in the Mitre 10 Cup for the past two seasons for Counties Manukau and is a key member of the Chiefs Development squad.
Judd was looking forward to playing for the Bay of Plenty Steamers this year.
"It will give me the opportunity for a bit more game time, and at this stage, it is the right move for me which I am looking forward to," he said.
Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO Mike Rogers said Judd was a quality player whose dedication, work ethic and values fitted perfectly with the environment developing in the Bay of Plenty.