WELLINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuter) - Zinzan Brooke, one of the most capped All Blacks and among the finest number eights, will quit New Zealand at the end of the season to take up a contract with English rugby club Harlequins, the New Zealand Herald reported on Monday.
The Auckland-based newspaper said Brooke, 32, told his Auckland team-mates about his departure at an emotional meeting on the eve of their 31-29 Ranfurly Shield loss to Waikato on Sunday.
However, Radio New Zealand reported that Brooke is contracted by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union until the end of the 1998 season and may not be released.
NZRFU officials were not immediately available for comment.
Brooke has been negotiating with the NZRFU to find a compromise which would allow him to either reduce his commitments or be released from his contract, the Herald reported.
Brooke's decision may yet affect his selection for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to Britain, as the selectors have not considered overseas-based players in the past.
However the paper said it understood Brooke would be chosen for the eight-game trip.
The 54-test veteran with 17 test tries to his name -- more than any other All Blacks forward -- has spoken about the arduous demands of top-level rugby and there have been consistent rumours that he would join Harlequins.
Brooke may have lately lost some of his zip, but he remains a potent force on both defence and attack.
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