New Zealand captain Richie McCaw will take a six-month "sabbatical" break from rugby after the All Blacks' tour of Europe this autumn.
The move is thought to be in order to prolong the 31-year-old's career so that he can feature when New Zealand defend their world crown in 2015.
"It is definitely going to happen," said Todd Blackadder, coach of McCaw's Super 15 team Canterbury Crusaders.
"Richie is going to take a sabbatical. He won't be available for the Tests or Super Rugby so he's going to get a good break."
McCaw is the all-time most capped All Black with 110 Tests, of which he has won 98.
