Sayonara : Marika Koroibete makes his Japanese departure official A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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Marika Koroibete is officially leaving Australian rugby and the Melbourne Rebels, with the star winger confirming his move to Japan on Friday.
Amid much ado in Japan, Robbie Deans’ 2021 championship-winning Panasonic Wild Knights welcomed Koroibete for the country’s first fully professional season next year.
The 2019 John Eales Medallist as Australia’s player of the year will link up with the Wild Knights for the Japan Rugby League One kicking off on January 7.
Star rugby winger Marika Koroibete headed to Japan
July 23, 2021 GMT
SYDNEY (AP) Star winger Marika Koroibete is leaving Australian rugby to play in Japan.
The Fiji-born Koroibete said Friday he would join former Australia coach Robbie Deans’ 2021 championship-winning Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japan Rugby League One.
The 2019 John Eales medalist as Australia’s player of the year will link up with the Wild Knights for the new professional league’s start on Jan. 7.
His decision is a blow for his Super Rugby team the Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies, with test coach Dave Rennie reluctant to use overseas-based players for national team duty.
All Black Barrett ends Japan stint empty-handed
Issued on:
23/05/2021 - 11:18 Beauden Barrett said he could come back to Japan one day Philip FONG AFP 3 min
Tokyo (AFP)
All Black Beauden Barrett ended his one-season stint in Japan empty-handed after losing in Sunday s Top League final, but hinted he may return after the 2023 World Cup.
Barrett will now join Super Rugby s Blues on a two-year contract that takes him up to the World Cup in France, where he hopes to appear for the All Blacks in his favoured fly-half position.
But the 29-year-old said he could come back to Japan one day, having had his short stay in the country dampened by the coronavirus pandemic.
Kenki Fukuoka retires a champion as Panasonic wins last Top League Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you re not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https://www.enable-javascript.com/
Panasonic players including Kenki Fukuoka (right) celebrate a try against Suntory during Sunday s Top League final at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. | KYODO
Kyodo May 23, 2021
The Panasonic Wild Knights beat the previously undefeated Suntory Sungoliath 31-26 to win the Japan Rugby Top League’s last championship and their sixth Japan national title on Sunday at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.