Census Johnston

Manu Samoa's Census Johnston talks rugby, retirement and what's next

His rugby career has included 60 tests, 13 years of international rugby, nine professional teams, three World Cups and one Heineken Cup title.

The Auckland-born front rower, who has called France home for the past 11 years, admits it's a decision that had been in the pipeline for a few years.

"I've just been fortunate enough to pick up a few contracts still and get offers so I've decided to guts it out and take them and probably knew I was going to finish up a few months back."

Census Johnston targets 2019 World Cup

The 35-year-old has been with French giants Toulouse since 2009 but will move to a new club in the Northern off-season.

The 59 test veteran, who played for Samoa at the Brisbane Tens on the weekend, said he was keen to extend his international career.

"I never thought of it at first but after signing a couple of years more and the World Cup being the same year my contract finishes," he said.

Player release still a problem for smaller rugby nations

Earlier this year former Manu Samoa lock Daniel Leo said Pacific Island players face losing up to 40 percent of their salary from club teams by opting to play in the World Cup.

Leo and fellow Samoa veteran Census Johnston announced their retirements from test matches earlier this year.

Unlike tier one nations, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga don't have the funds to compensate clubs, often forcing players to choose between money and country.

Samoa prop Census Johnston shocks French club by playing the All Blacks

The 34-year-old retired from international rugby in April when he signed a new deal with the wealthy French club, but he has done a U-turn to turn out for Samoa in the historic test against the All Blacks in Apia.

Toulouse bosses Fabien Pelous and Ugo Mola are concerned the experienced front-rower may now be tempted to push on and play at this year's Rugby World Cup.

"We thought that Census had retired from international rugby. The fact that he is playing against the All Blacks is a bit of a surprise and unsettling," Pelous told specialist French website Rugbyrama.