Norton-Knight left Australia because he could not win the 10 jersey

Australian back Sam Norton-Knight has left Cardiff Blues to join Japanese side Sanyo Wild Knights.

Norton-Knight was capped at full-back, but failed to make a success of switching to fly-half with the Blues.

Instead he eventually lost the number 10 jersey to Ceri Sweeney and the Blues have signed Scotland's Dan Parks.

Blues chief executive Robert Norster said: "Sam is a talented athlete and rugby player that sadly we did not see fulfil his full potential."

Norton-Knight made his Blues debut against Edinburgh in September 2009.

His first eight appearances for the Welsh region were at fly-half before before switching to full-back for the LV= Cup match against Gloucester at Kingsholm where he scored a try.

He went on to make 20 appearances for the Blues, scoring three tries and a drop goal.

But having admitted Norton-Knight's signing was a gamble, coaching boss Dai Young later revealed the player's future was in question.

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