Former All Blacks first-five Dan Carter has dropped a clear hint that he will retire in 2020 after his upcoming stint in Japan.
The 112-Test All Black will leave his French club Racing Metro in June to link up with Japanese side Kobe Steelers on a two-year deal.
Carter is currently in Hong Kong with Racing teammates for the Natixis Cup exhibition fixture against South Africa's Sharks, and told French publication Agence France-Presse (AFP) that retirement was looming fast.
"It's [retirement] obviously just around the corner... but exactly what I do, I'm not 100 percent sure yet," he said.
"But you know, I'm still really enjoying playing and that's why I signed to play a couple more years in Japan.
"That'll take me through to 2020, sort of mid-2020... that's when my contract finishes in Japan."
When the time does come to hang up the boots, Carter is not too sure what his plans will be - but he has ruled out being involved in the All Blacks set-up.
"I think immediately after rugby going straight into coaching, you know, I don't think I'll be ready for that," he said.
"To be honest the coaches work harder than players. They're away every weekend for games, it's quite a big commitment."
The two-time World Cup winner is excited for his new life in Japan and is impressed with how much the sport has grown in the Asian country over the years.
With Japan hosting the 2019 World Cup, Carter is hoping to play a part in growing the sport even more before the World Cup begins.
"I've seen how much rugby has grown in Japan and also Asia over the last couple of years," he told AFP.
"Obviously it doesn't compete with the likes of baseball and sumo wrestling and things like that, but I think leading into the World Cup it's going to increase."
Newshub.
