Flutey to quit Wasps, return to New Zealand

Riki Flutey is to leave Wasps and return to his native New Zealand before starting a career in Japanese club rugby, the English Premiership side said Tuesday. The 32-year-old New Zealand-born centre made 81 appearances for Wasps in two separate spells and won 14 caps for England, as well as playing in one Test for the British and Irish Lions against South Africa in 2009. "My wife and my three kids will first be returning to New Zealand and she is expecting our fourth child this summer," Flutey said in a Wasps statement. "I really just want to take this chance to say a massive thanks to Wasps for being so supportive and understanding of what has been a tough decision to leave, but ultimately having four young kids away from family and a support network in New Zealand would be very tough. "It goes without saying that the club will always have a huge place in my heart, and I would especially like to thank all the fans and supporters I have had while in the UK," added Flutey, who has probably played his last game for the club as he is currently recovering from an ankle injury which is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season. Wasps coach Dai Young said: "We are sorry to lose Riki next year but family comes first and we understand how hard a decision it was to make. "I'd like to thank him for his contribution in his time with the club and wish him all the best in the future." Flutey joined Wasps from Premiership rivals London Irish in 2007 and, having qualified for England on residency grounds that year, was handed his Test debut by then team manager Martin Johnson against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham a year later. The former New Zealand Maori representative impressed for England in the 2009 Six Nations and was selected for the Lions tour of South Africa. Then, with the Springboks 2-0 up, he was called into the tourists' team for their 28-9 third Test win. Flutey then joined Brive but his career with the French club was hampered by shoulder injuries and he returned to Wasps. Eventually, he regained fitness and featured in England's warm-up campaign for the World Cup but was left out of the 30-man squad for last year's tournament in New Zealand, a move Johnson said was one of his most difficult selection decisions.