Not quite mirroring Jarryd Hayne’s much-publicised flirtation with the NFL, Woo is will head to the US with the firm intention of playing rugby league.

In a rare switch, Woo has agreed to link with the Central Florida Warriors that play in the Southeast Rugby League Conference of the USARL.

Eight months after leading Gundagai to their first grand final victory in 32 years, the star second rower has ended his five-year tour of duty with the Tigers.

Woo, who was born and bred in Junee, confirmed he would soon be leaving for the US and would miss the remainder of the Group Nine season.

“Yeah, I’m going over to play for the Central Florida Warriors, but to be honest I don’t want to make a song and dance about it,” Woo said.

Current Gundagai captain-coach James Smart said Woo would be “sorely missed”.

“Hopefully one day he will be back playing in the black and gold,” Smart said.

Strongly supportive of Woo’s decision, Smart is adamant the “happiness” of his coaching predecessor was the utmost priority.

Joining Gundagai from Junee in 2012, Woo struck gold with the Tigers last year when he coached the team to their first Group Nine title since 1983.

Woo elected stand aside from the coaching position to allow Smart to step in again this year, but stayed on as a player.

After starting the season in swashbuckling form, Woo suffered a leg injury and has been on the sidelines for several weeks.

The loss of the inspirational forward comes as Gundagai strengthen their prospects of a second successive premiership triumph.

The Tigers blitzed Tumut 54-6 at Anzac Park on Sunday, but ball-player Blake Dunn sustained a hamstring problem in the process.

Dunn is unlikely to be fit to play Kangaroos at Equex Centre on Sunday, while Roos captain-coach Adam Hall is under a cloud with a calf muscle injury.