KEY POINTS:
Yet another Otago and Highlanders player, forward Filipo Levi, is heading to play his rugby overseas.
Levi, 27, has taken up a two-year contract with Japanese club Ricoh and is the fourth Highlanders player in the recent weeks to announce his departure after All Blacks Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver (both to England) and flanker Josh Blackie (Japan).
Levi will leave after the Super 14, which ends for the Highlanders on Saturday after their match at home against the Brumbies.
"I was given an opportunity that was too good to turn down," Filipo said today.
"I've loved every minute of my rugby in Dunedin, whether it was with Otago or the Highlanders and I'll certainly miss it."
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Russell Gray said Levi was going with his blessing and understanding, but it was yet another example of the increasing difficulty of retaining top quality players.
"It's by no means unique to Otago or the Highlanders," he said.
"It's an issue for all of New Zealand rugby."
All Blacks Byron Kelleher, Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger and Sam Tuitupou announced recently they were joining overseas clubs, either after the Super 14 or at the end of the year.
Levi played 70 games for Otago since 2000 and 66 for the Highlanders since 2002. He has played test rugby for the Pacific Islands and will be available to Samoa for this year's World Cup.
- NZPA
