New Zealand Warriors backrower Wairangi Koopu is considering joining the exodus of players switching from rugby league to union.

Koopu, along with fellow Test Kiwi players Ruben Wiki and Logan Swann, will play his last NRL match at home in the Warriors' clash with Penrith on Sunday.

The second rower, who has been with the club for all his professional career, made his debut in 1999 and has racked up 159 NRL matches.

However, he has made just six first-grade appearances this season.

Koopu, 27, said that joining the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Craig Gower and Mark Gasnier in switching to rugby was one of the options he was exploring for next year.

"It's such an international game that the opportunities to play rugby around the world are great," Koopu said.

"I can't imagine anything better over the next four to five years than maybe to end up in Japan, or Wales, or Italy or France."

Koopu, who gained three Kiwi caps in 2004 and 2005, said he began thinking about changing codes earlier this year.

There was interest from European clubs, but nothing had been confirmed.

If he did switch, he saw his future overseas rather than in New Zealand for lifestyle reasons and because the critical spotlight on rugby players was not as great offshore as it was in New Zealand.

He believed his likely initial position would be centre or second five-eighth.

Koopu has been named on an expanded five-man Warriors bench against the Panthers and he expected plenty of emotion on game day at Mt Smart Stadium.

"Whether I get on the field or not, I've had a great ride over the last 10 seasons," he said.

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