Mark Pickering

Sir Graham Henry: NZR should be flexible with Mo’unga and Retallick World Cup-winning former All Blacks head coach Sir Graham Henry believes that New Zealand Rugby should take a flexible approach regarding the eligibility of Japan-based Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell and Brodie Retallick this summer.Henry, 79, was this week appointed as a selector as new head coa...

Rams captain Perenara lauds Suntory’s Kolbe ahead of quarter-final Blacks Rams Tokyo’s World Cup-winning captain TJ Perenara lauded Suntory Sungoliath full-back Cheslin Kolbe as one of the best players in the world ahead of their League One quarter-final next week.Perenara, who was speaking at the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) Play-Offs Media Conference in Akihab...

Exclusive - Cheslin Kolbe on injuries, his form and League One Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe believes he’s still developing as a player after helping the Fuchu side past rivals Black Rams Tokyo in a preview of the upcoming quarter-final between the two sides in two weeks' time.The 32-year-old double World Cup winner contributed 17 points in his team's...

Pancrase champ Rafael Barbosa calls out Sho Patrick Usami Brazil's lightweight KOP Barbosa sports a 17-5-0 record and took to social media to issue a challenge to RIZIN fighter Sho Patrick Usami

All Black Stephen Perofeta set to join Yokohama Canon Eagles Blues playmaker Stephen Perofeta is set to become the latest All Black to quit New Zealand Rugby for a lucrative deal in Japan.Perofeta, 29, who won the last of his six All Blacks caps against Ireland in November 2024, will reunite with former Blues coach Leon MacDonald at Yokohama Canon Eagles who....

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu: Moving to Japan saved my career Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu has credited his three-year stay with Yamaha Jubilo as turning his career around ahead of his move to Glasgow Warriors during the pandemic.Australia-born Tuipulotu, 29, who qualifies for Scotland through his Greenock-born grandmother, struggled to make his mark at Su...

Exclusive - Richie Mo’unga open to possible Japan return in 2028 Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga believes that he is returning to New Zealand as a better player and is open to a possible return to Japan in 2028.The 31-year-old has won back-to-back titles and MVP awards and, while the champions have not reached the same level as their two title-winni...

Faf de Klerk to leave Yokohama to join the Cheetahs Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk will return to his homeland this summer to join the Cheetahs on a two-year deal the South African club has announced.The Currie Cup side, who were eliminated from the European Challenge Cup in the pool stage, announced the arrival of the 34-year-old doub...

🇿🇦 Manie Libbok starred as division 2 leaders Kintetsu Liners beat Hino Red Dolphins 77-36 in Tokyo on Saturday

📸 © Kintetsu Liners

Suntory's Cheslin Kolbe to stay in Japan for the ‘foreseeable future’ Suntory Sungoliath star Cheslin Kolbe will stay in Japan for the ‘foreseeable future’ his management agency Roc Nation Sports International has revealed.Two-time World Cup winner Kolbe, 32, is enjoying his best season so far for the Fuchu outfit with a haul of 141 points including eight tries fo...

Wales and Tonga coy on Toshiba flanker Frizell’s return to New Zealand Toshiba Brave Lupus flanker Shannon Frizell will return to New Zealand this summer as he targets an All Blacks return which officially ends Tonga and Wales' hopes of an unlikely allegiance switch. Two-time League One winner Frizell, 32, has put pen to paper on a one-year deal and will be available t...