Victor Vito signs three year deal with La Rochelle
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Victor Vito signs three year deal with La Rochelle
The 28-year-old Hurricanes loose forward will depart New Zealand rugby at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby season. Vito played 33 tests for the All
Blacks since making his test debut against Ireland in 2010 and was
a member of the World Cup winning squads in 2011 and 2015.
“I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to represent the All Blacks, Wellington and the Hurricanes over the past ten years,” Vito said. “It’s been an honour and I’ve cherished every match, but I feel like the time has come for a fresh challenge and I’m excited about the next chapter with La Rochelle."
"It's been a bit of a roller coaster for me in the All Blacks being in and out of the side for the past six seasons and if I'm honest I probably wasn't mentally ready until 2014.
"Luckily for me Steve Hansen and the other coaches persevered and over the past two years in particular I've been pretty proud of what I've done in the black jersey.
"It's never easy to to fight the ego and say no to the chance to represent your country, but my young family trumps my ego any day, especially when there is a chance to provide them with a better future."
“There’d be no better way to leave than by winning a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes and bring a title to the region in 2016, but right now I’m putting all my efforts into making sure we get our preparation right in the preseason so we can give ourselves a chance later in the year.
“I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to represent the All Blacks, Wellington and the Hurricanes over the past ten years,” Vito said. “It’s been an honour and I’ve cherished every match, but I feel like the time has come for a fresh challenge and I’m excited about the next chapter with La Rochelle."
"It's been a bit of a roller coaster for me in the All Blacks being in and out of the side for the past six seasons and if I'm honest I probably wasn't mentally ready until 2014.
"Luckily for me Steve Hansen and the other coaches persevered and over the past two years in particular I've been pretty proud of what I've done in the black jersey.
"It's never easy to to fight the ego and say no to the chance to represent your country, but my young family trumps my ego any day, especially when there is a chance to provide them with a better future."
“There’d be no better way to leave than by winning a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes and bring a title to the region in 2016, but right now I’m putting all my efforts into making sure we get our preparation right in the preseason so we can give ourselves a chance later in the year.
