Clark Dermody has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with London Irish. Photo / Chris Skelton
Yet another All Black has joined the player drain as the New Zealand Rugby Union looks powerless to stem the haemorrhage of its main asset.
Southland and Highlanders prop Clark Dermody is off to join English club London Irish.
Dermody said he was taking up a two-and-a-half-year contract
with the English premiership side from November, after the World Cup and one more season with Southland Stags.
The 27-year-old Stags captain joins Highlanders forwards Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Filipo Levi and Josh Blackie, who will depart after the final Super 14 round-robin match against the Brumbies at Carisbrook on Saturday.
Among other leading players who will leave for overseas clubs either before or after the World Cup are lock Chris Jack, midfielders Aaron Mauger and Sam Tuitupou, and halfback Byron Kelleher.
Dermody said he and his wife Sarah had been contemplating an overseas move for some time.
He said having to shift his young family from Invercargill to Dunedin every six months for the Super 14 was a factor in heading to London.
"It is exciting but it's going to be like shifting to a new school. I won't know anyone until I start making a few new mates," he told the Southland Times.
Dermody has played for Southland for at least six seasons and the All Blacks last year, appearing in two tests against Ireland and one against England.
- NZPA
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