SBW set for Japan, then NRL

Updated July 09, 2012 12:18:02

An emotional Sonny Bill Williams announced he will leave New Zealand to play rugby union in Japan, followed by a return to an un-named NRL rugby league club next season.

The high-profile All-Black, who most recently played in New Zealand's home series win over Ireland, said he would complete his Super Rugby commitments with the Waikato Chiefs before heading to Japan.

Williams, 26, will play for the Wild Knights team, which is part of the Japanese Top League, for 10 games before shifting back to rugby league in January 2013.

He told a press conference that he had made a handshake agreement with an NRL club before he moved to rugby union in 2008.

Williams said he could not name the club he had the handshake deal with, although media reports have linked him with the Sydney Roosters club.

He is tipped to earn in excess of $1.4 million during his stint in Japan and a further $570,000 in the NRL.

"This is due to a handshake agreement made a few years ago with an NRL club," he told reporters. "I am not in a position to elaborate on that."

Asked if he wanted to go or had to go, Williams replied: "I have to go," adding that in a "perfect world" he would stay in New Zealand.

The move back to the NRL will take the 1.91 metre (6ft 3in), 110 kilogram (17.3 stone) Williams back to his roots - he played league in the NRL for four years before switching to rugby union.

The Auckland-born inside centre, known for his powerful running and tackling, thanked the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) for allowing him to "realise a dream" by playing for the All Blacks.

Williams is a dual international, having played rugby league for New Zealand before being selected for the All-Blacks.

Williams also has a part-time boxing career, winning five bouts, three by knockout, the most recent of which earned him a version of the New Zealand heavyweight title.

ABC / AFP

Tags: sport, nrl, rugby-league, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia, japan, new-zealand

First posted July 09, 2012 10:45:52

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Eddie Jones named as new Japan coach

Updated December 27, 2011 10:11:51

Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has been appointed head coach of Japan's national rugby team to replace All Blacks legend John Kirwan.

Jones, 51, took the Wallabies to the 2003 World Cup final and was technical adviser to South Africa when the Springboks won the 2007 World Cup in France.

"I'm very excited and honoured to have the job as head coach of Japan," Jones said.

"The first thing we're going to have to do is to win. I want Japan to win and be in the top ten in the world. We need to develop a solid play that suits Japanese players.

"We've got a very big challenge ahead us.

"The great thing about Japanese rugby is we have a very strong domestic company competition and strong university and high school competitions.

"We're going to quickly add in 30 or 40 players for the next World Cup."

Jones, whose wife is Japanese, has been managing Japan's Top League side Suntory Sungoliath since 2009.

In the 2010-2011 season, Suntory finished runners-up in the Top League and won the separate national championship under Jones. This season they are currently leading the Top League after eight straight wins.

He emerged as Kirwan's likely successor after Japan came home winless from the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Japan will host the World Cup in 2019 and will be looking to avoid the embarrassment of becoming the first host country to fail to make the knockout stages.

Kirwan failed to break the Brave Blossoms' 20-year World Cup win drought at the New Zealand tournament.

He opted not to seek a new contract to his current five-year deal which expires at the end of this month.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, japan

First posted December 26, 2011 19:48:00

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Muliaina off to Japan after World Cup

Posted June 2, 2011 11:46:00

All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina will join Japanese club NTT Docomo after this year's World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said on Thursday.

The NZRU has managed to re-sign more than 20 All Blacks to new contracts to run after they host the World Cup but Muliaina has decided he needs a new challenge.

"I consider myself to have been incredibly lucky with my career in New Zealand," the 30-year-old said in a statement.

"It's hard to single any one moment out but obviously winning Commonwealth gold and the opportunity to captain my country were things I thought were only dreams when I was growing up.

"Japan itself offers a completely different culture and way of life that my entire family is looking forward to experiencing."

Muliaina made his Test debut in 2003 and shares with captain Richie McCaw the record of most international appearances for New Zealand at 94.

Both could take their tally above the century mark during the World Cup, where Muliaina will also be looking to add to his 32 Test tries.

"He (Muliaina) is a special All Black ... an outstanding footballer who is the best in the world in his position," New Zealand coach Graham Henry said in the statement.

Winger Joe Rokocoko is one of the few other All Blacks to decide to leave after the World Cup and announced last month he would be joining France's Bayonne on a two-year deal.

- Reuters

Tags: sport, rugby-union, japan, new-zealand

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Ioane denies massive Japan deal

Posted May 14, 2011 16:33:00

Wallabies winger Digby Ioane has denied he is on the verge of leaving Queensland for a massive deal in Japan, but will wait until after the Rugby World Cup to decide his future.

Tackle-busting Ioane on Saturday dismissed a News Ltd report that he would wave sayonara to the Reds and Wallabies after this season and play for Japanese club Kubota alongside former team-mate Hugh McMeniman.

The 11-Test flyer, in career-best form to be a key man in Queensland's Super Rugby march, admitted he could not juggle the pressure of contract talks while also producing on the field.

"It's all rumours," Ioane said. "My main focus is playing good footy for the Reds.

"The worst thing you could do is be talking about contracts right now.

"I don't want it to get in the way of playing for the Reds or the Wallabies. Once I've got time to myself, I'll make my commitment."

The Reds are in the thick of the four-way race for hot property James O'Connor, but will almost certainly see the powerful, elusive Ioane an even more important commodity.

He showcased his ball-running skills with a man-of-the-match display in the pulsating 37-31 win over the Blues on Friday night to carry Queensland to top spot on the table.

All Blacks and Blues hooker Keven Mealamu highlighted what the Reds might miss when he rated Ioane among the hardest men to tackle.

"He's a game breaker, an elusive man," Mealamu said.

"If you don't get a shot on him, he's going to put you under a lot of pressure. It's hard trying to play a guy like that. You don't know what you're going to get on the field."

A certain Test starter this year, Ioane stressed he would not weigh up offers until he could properly sit down and mull his future after the September-October RWC in New Zealand.

He admitted contract talks in 2007 - when he left the Western Force for the Reds, and 2009, when he passed up a chance to play with Kubota - took a toll.

"I don't want to go through that again," said Ioane.

"I don't know if I can handle the pressure when I'm playing footy. For me, it's footy first.

"I'll leave all that off-field business to my mum and my manager."

In 2009, it was Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who played a major role in Ioane re-signing, visiting his mother and sister in Melbourne and presenting a big-picture view of the then 23-year-old's career.

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie was aware of interest from cashed-up foreign clubs, but was comfortable in the knowledge Ioane loved playing for the table-topping Reds.

"There's a fair bit of interest in him for obvious reasons," McKenzie said.

"I'm pretty confident through discussions I've had with him that if he's going to be in Australian rugby, he'll definitely be with the Reds.

"The big question is are there (overseas offers) too big to pass up?"

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

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Smith quits Toulon for Japan

Updated April 24, 2011 08:56:00

Australian international flanker George Smith will quit French Top 14 side Toulon to take up a $1.1 million-a-season deal with Japan's Sanyo Wild Knights.

"Smith decided to leave for Japan and we can't keep him. Everyone will remember his time here. He has been an exceptional player at all levels," said Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

Toulon had offered 30-year-old Smith a contract extension but the Tokyo side's staggering offer proved too good to resist.

Smith joined the French side last summer after 10 years with Australian Super 15 side Brumbies.

- AFP

First posted April 24, 2011 08:55:00

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Thorn to play in Japan after World Cup

Posted April 21, 2011 13:22:00

Lock Brad Thorn is set to end his All Blacks career following this year's World Cup in New Zealand after he agreed to sign a two-contract with Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues.

The 36-year-old Thorn will join the Japanese club at the conclusion of the September 9-October 23 tournament.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has a policy of only selecting players based in New Zealand and the move to Japan will therefore end Thorn's international career.

Born in New Zealand, Thorn moved to Australia as a child and forged a successful rugby league career before changing codes three times. He has now accumulated 50 Test caps for the All Blacks.

He joins prop John Afoa and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu as long-term All Blacks who have said they would leave New Zealand after the World Cup, while French club Toulouse said on Wednesday Luke McAlister had signed until the end of the 2013/14 season.

The NZRU has asked the All Blacks to clarify their playing future before the World Cup with captain Richie McCaw and five-eighth Daniel Carter still to confirm if they will stay or leave New Zealand afterwards.

- Reuters

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