Rugby: Payne signs with Ulster

Jared Payne. Photo / Getty Images

Blues centre and Northland captain Jared Payne will head for Ireland later this year, having signed to play for Irish club Ulster Rugby.

The 25 year-old has taken up a three year deal with the club and will join them at the completion of his rugby commitments in New Zealand for 2011.

"Making these decisions in the middle of Super Rugby is not easy, but that's the way it works in this game. I'm really enjoying my rugby and being part of the Blues however, I also have ambitions to play rugby overseas while I am young and fit," says the Blues centre.

A national age group rep and schools sevens star, Payne made 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.

Last year, Payne signed with the Blues and has been having an outstanding 2011 season to date.

"Jared has been impressive for the Blues this year. He grabbed the opportunity for plenty of game time by playing at a consistently high standard and the result is he's in the best form of his career," says Blues head coach Pat Lam.

"It's a real shame Jared won't be with the team in 2012 but that's the nature of professional rugby and the offshore demand for players of his calibre."

- HERALD ONLINE