Why Siya Kolisi turned down a R25 million move to Japan
It wasn’t just French heavyweights who were chasing Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi’s signature but why did he turn down a R25 million deal?
Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi revealed Dan Carter helped convince him to move to Racing 92 when a big money move to Japan was also on the table.
Considering several options, Siya Kolisi confirmed that the All Black played a big role in him choosing Racing.
Kolisi has fond memories of Japan and it was rumoured that he was tapped up by Suntory owned Tokyo Sungoliaths who recently signed All Blacks skipper Sam Cane on a short-term deal and Cheslin Kolbe.
It is unclear at this stage exactly how much Racing 92 will pay Kolisi per season but it is believed to be somewhere in the R18-20 million range.
The Top 14 is one of the best domestic leagues in the world played with great pace and physicality. Kolisi may feel that he could still make the Japan move later in his career but with Racing 92 it was now or never.
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DAN CARTER INSPIRED SIYA KOLISI’S MOVE TO RACING 92
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Kolisi feels that turning out in the Top 14 is a missing piece of his rugby career.
“I can’t wait to play. The Top 14 is the missing piece for me.
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“I came for the reputation, it is one of the most difficult championships in the world.
“I have to prove myself on the pitch,” Kolisi told RugbyRama.
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“I spoke to Cameron [Woki] and Yannick [Nyanga] before signing. Dan Carter also had an influence on my coming.”
A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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The attitude of Racing 92’s majority owner and club chairmen Jacky Lorenzetti also helped sway Kolisi.
“Jacky Lorenzetti told me he wanted to recruit the rugby player, not the superstar. I really appreciated this,” he said.
“Racing 92 is a club that has not achieved as much as Toulon or Toulouse so we have something to build and I want to be part of this history.
“I’ve played in South Africa all my life and to move to a new club, so different, it’s special. But my teammates and Jacky [Lorenzetti], made things easier for me.
“My family moved before me so everything is going very well.”
Kolisi could be set to make his Racing 92 debut on Sunday 26 November when the club take on La Rochelle in the top 14.
He won’t face South African opposition in the Champions Cup group stage with Racing 92 not drawn alongside the Bulls or Stormers in the competition.
Kolisi has captained the Springboks in 53 Tests and is expected to continue as skipper despite his move abroad.