Having never played for the All Blacks, the option is also available for Borlase to qualify for the Irish national team via residential grounds.

And the 25-year-old admitted that, along with the similarities between the teams, were big factors in his choice to leave his native Canterbury.

“I'm going over there as a project player,” he said. "Basically that means you go through the Irish Rugby Union.

“That doesn't necessarily mean I'm going over there to play for Ireland, but there is that option, obviously.

“But after two years there, there is an option that I could explore that route if I stay for another year.

"The IRU have also got a say in the matter and, if you pass their criteria, then that path can become available.

"Being Canterbury born and bred, it wouldn't really spin my wheels going to another province or Super 14 side, so the next best thing is going to the other side of the world and Munster, who have the same values and attributes as Canterbury and the Crusaders.”