Campbell Parata signs to train with the Crusaders

New Zealand-born Campbell Parata has inked a deal to train with the Crusaders in New Zealand, with his sights set on the New Zealand under-20 team.

"I grew up watching Dan Carter as my favourite player but now it's Richie Mo'unga for his all-round game, that crazy running and kicking," Parata said.

"I head to NZ in December to train in the Tasman academy. It was always the plan that I go back to NZ."

Rugby Australia official Adrian Thompson said: "Don't get me wrong it would have been lovely to keep Campbell (but) he's probably a bit of a different case to the other kids that do this.

"He's a New Zealand kid and a lovely kid and mum and dad are really nice people but at the end of the day they're from New Zealand and always wanted to go back there.

"It's a bit different to (lock) Nick Frost who chose the Crusaders ahead of the Waratahs, for example. It was more the fact that the kid just wants to go home."