Shaun Stevenson and New Zealand Rugby have reached an agreement over the one-test All Black’s immediate and longer term future, the Herald understands.

Last month, the 28-year-old sought an immediate release from his NZ Rugby and Chiefs contract, in order to take up a deal with Japanese outfit Kubota Spears. Kubota had Stevenson at the top of their wish list after injury ended the Top League season of Wales outside back Liam Williams.

However, NZ Rugby was hesitant to grant Stevenson’s request so close to the start of the Super Rugby season, due to the precedent it would set for other players wanting to move abroad. Stevenson is contracted until the end of the 2025 season.

Instead, Stevenson has been granted a short-term sabbatical from his NZR deal, and will head to Japan to start 2025, before moving to Kubota permanently in 2026.

Stevenson could make his Kubota debut as early as Saturday, when they host TJ Perenara’s Black Rams Tokyo.

While Stevenson will play the remainder of Super Rugby after his return from Rugby League One, he’ll be unavailable for the Chiefs’ matches against the Blues on February 15, the Crusaders on February 21, and the Brumbies on March 1.

It is unclear whether Stevenson will play in the 2025 NPC for North Harbour. Leaving after Super Rugby 2025 would also rule Stevenson out of contention for both the All Blacks XV, and Maori All Blacks later this year.

Despite his status as the Chiefs’ first-choice at fullback, Stevenson has made just one test appearance for the All Blacks.

That came in a heavily rotated side in mid-2023, when Ian Foster’s men came from behind to defeat the Wallabies 23-20 in Dunedin. Stevenson played that test on the wing, and scored his first - and likely only - try for the All Blacks.

New Zealand Rugby are expected to officially confirm Stevenson’s departure on Tuesday.

Alex Powellis an Online Sports Editor for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016, and previously worked for both Newshub and 1News.