European Rugby Champions Cup
Europe move affected All Blacks Rugby World Cup selection hopes -- Piutau
AAP
November 15, 2015
© Ian Walton/Getty Images

Charles Piutau has made a blistering early impression with Aviva Premiership club Wasps, days after admitting his move to Europe probably cost him a spot on the All Blacks Rugby World Cup roster.

Piutau scored a try and topped all the attacking statistics as Wasps thrashed a strong Leinster side 33-6 in their opening European Rugby Champions Cup game in Dublin. The 24-year-old recorded three clean breaks, three offloads, seven defenders beaten and 103 running metres in a strong attacking performance.

Piutau will play out the season with Wasps before joining Guinness PRO12 club Ulster in 2016, taking up a contract he signed in March.

That Ulster deal earned the ire of New Zealand Rugby, which subsequently blocked his request to play another Super Rugby season for the Blues next year.

Piutau believes his contract also played a large part in his non-selection for the World Cup, something All Blacks coach Steve Hansen denied when the squad was announced.

"I knew it was a possibility that could affect my chances of making the team," Piutau said.

"I was told by the coaches that that wasn't the reason, but I felt it was part of it.

"It was quite hard to swallow. I backed myself to make that team but it wasn't to be."

Piutau is playing alongside his former Blues and Wesley College teammate Frank Halai at Wasps.

© AAP

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