In what is sure to be one of the most surprising Irish provincial transfer moves in recent years, it looks like Ulster have pulled off a major transfer coup by convincing New Zealand international Charles Piutau to move to Ravenhill following the World Cup.
Stuff.co.nz, who are usually fairly on point with their All Blacks news, are reporting that it is a done deal, with the versatile back signing a two year deal worth around €700,000 a season.
The 23 year old who can play at fullback, centre or wing has 14 caps for the All Blacks and this has certainly come as a surprise to those in New Zealand who had expected one of the country's real up and coming stars to commit his future to NZ Rugby for the foreseeable future.
The tone of language that Stuff.co.nz use to report the transfer is certainly telling.
Piutau's sudden post-World Cup departure comes as a shock to all involved.
It was thought he was poised to re-sign, alongside team-mate Steven Luatua, with New Zealand Rugby and the Blues within the next two weeks.
Clearly, though, the chance to bank $2 million in a favourable tax system and set himself up for life was too good to turn down.
A transfer such as Bundee Aki to Connacht was seen as a coup for Irish rugby at the time and that just serves to highlight how big a deal this move for Piutau would be. A year younger than Aki and already an regular All Blacks international, Piutau will significantly improve Ulster's line-up heading into next season.
