The Queensland Reds are resigned to young gun Campbell Magnay joining a Japanese club but coach Nick Stiles is hopeful he'll be back in Super Rugby next year.
Magnay has secured a one-season deal with Suntory Sungoliath, where he will play alongside Australian veterans George Smith and Matt Giteau in the new Top League season from August.
The 20-year-old utility back is seen as a future Wallaby but has opted to skip a third National Rugby Championship campaign - and the chance to complete a full pre-season with the Reds heading into 2018 - by playing in Japan.
Magnay has played just three hours of rugby this year due to a spate of injuries and has been fit and available for selection for just a third of Queensland's games since signing in 2015.
"You don't want to see a footballer with as much talent as he has heading overseas at that age," Stiles said.
"It's unfortunate but you're seeing it more and more.
"Seany McMahon I think is doing the same, Liam Gill left at a young age.
"We've invested three years of a lot of hard work from the backroom staff and the medical staff in particular to get his body right.
"To be honest I don't feel we've got reward out of him yet on field. Campbell feels that way as well."
Magnay, who shares the same agent as McMahon and Gill, is not contracted to the Reds beyond this season.
Stiles said the Reds and Magnay both wanted to sign a new deal but warned there would be a few hoops to jump through before that could happen.
Asked if he knew why Magnay was leaving, Stiles chuckled: "Sushi."
"Suntory are a fantastic team. He says he wants to play football games.
"I don't know what his motivation is. I can't control what he does."
Magnay is in line to play in Queensland's last home game of the season on Friday night against the Brumbies.
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