A day after helping Kobe Kobelco Steelers to the Japan Rugby Top League title, Adam Ashley-Cooper announced Sunday he would be leaving the club at the end of the season and returning to Australia.

However, he told Kyodo News he is hoping to win more silverware in Japan in 2019 and beyond, both with the Wallabies and, if picked up, with another Japanese club side.

"I've got a lot more left in the tank," the 34-year-old said after being named to the Top League All-Star XV.

"I've loved my time here. Unfortunately Kobe are letting me go but there are no hard feelings."

Having played his 117th game for the Wallabies against Italy in November -- after a two-year absence -- the versatile back said he is hoping to be part of the Australia team in 2019 and play in his fourth World Cup.

But with the Top League going on hold until January 2020 the only way he can earn a spot in Michael Cheika's squad is to play Super Rugby.

"I still want to get better and play top-tier rugby. So there is a good chance I will be heading back to Sydney somewhere and looking to win a Rugby World Cup and that's what's been driving me all year."

A proud Australian, Ashley-Cooper said "as much as I hate to admit it, working with the Kiwis" such as Kobe coaches Wayne Smith, Dave Dillon and Scott Hansen and players such as Andy Ellis and Dan Carter had been an eye-opener and was the main reason he had been able to return to test-match rugby.

"I learnt how the Kiwis approach the game and that allowed me to grow my game. (Defense coach) Scottie (Hansen) had a really big influence. He challenged me and helped me develop my game," he said.

And he dispelled the views of some that players in the twilight of their career only come here for the money.

"That's what I was so surprised with when I got here is the actual quality of this competition," he said. "It's not a retirement village. People are here to compete and a lot of players are here to get better."

"The fact that I can go to Japan and get better as a player coming from France and get back in the Wallabies shows the quality of football up here and the programs that are running in the Top League."

If he is able to play at the World Cup, Ashley-Cooper, who scored a try in the Steelers' 55-5 drubbing of Suntory Sungoliath on Saturday, said he would then "love to come back to Japan" following the tournament, which he says will be the best tournament ever.

"How good is this place. People have no idea what they are in for. Once they get here, outside the rugby, there is everything culturally. It's such a beautiful place, the people, the restaurants, the food, the beer, the way of life up here."

"Japan has given me a new lease on the game. The last two years have been the best two years of my rugby career and I've played for a bit."

"It's been an incredible experience topped off by the final yesterday. We definitely saved our best for the last."