Nick Cummins, winger for the Australian rugby national team, Qantas Wallaby and Western Force in the Super Rugby League, has signed a deal with the Coca Cola West Red Sparks in Japan’s Top League.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and RugbyWA announced the official release on Friday and the 26-year-old will play rugby in Japan after the 2014 Super Rugby season.

“The decision has been made based on unique family circumstances.” stated in the official Western Force website.

Cummins has been part of the Western Force roster since 2008 and part of the NT since 2012. He has 15 caps with 30 points and 6 tries for the NT.

“We’d certainly like to see Nick back in Force colours beyond this season,” he said. “He’s a player that gives his all on field. He has been a great representative for our club over the past seven years and, as a result, is an extremely popular member both within the team and with our supporters,” said Rugby WA Mark Sinderberry CEO.

“While he’s a player that we’d love to hang on to, we understand Nick’s situation and we respect that this is an outcome that is best for Nick at the present time.”

The transfer of Cummins is seen as a big blow to local rugby and especially his Super Rugby club, the Force who has had problems holding on to key players in the past.