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Wales coy on interest in All Black Shannon Frizell
The Welsh Rugby Union remains coy on their interest in All Black and ex-Toshiba loose forward Shannon Frizell who will re-qualify for Wales next month, after declining to comment on the subject to RugbyJP.com. The 33-Test flanker will re-qualify for his home nation of Tonga - who he represented in age group rugby and football before moving to New Zealand in 20215 - and Wales, who he qualifies for through his Swansea-born adoptive father Andrew, from 28 October. © JRLO That da

Mark Pickering
Sep 83 min read


Ex-Toshiba prop Vea Taumoefolau targets Super Rugby contract
Former Toshiba Brave Lupus prop and recent Japan call-up Vea Taumoefolau is aiming to secure a Super Rugby contract after landing a deal with NPC side Tasman. New Zealand-born Taumoefolau, 24, a two-time League One winner, sent shockwaves through the Japanese scene when he left Toshiba in March due to personal reasons. The Kyoto Sangyo University graduate, who also qualifies for Tonga on heritage grounds, recently returned to action for amateur club Stoke Rugby in Nelson, New

Mark Pickering
Jul 21 min read


Toshiba’s Mo’unga previews Kubota quarter-final and hails Boks ace Marx
Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga is confident that the back-to-back champions can keep their ‘three-peat’ dream alive when they face Kubota Spears in Sunday’s quarter-final. Two-time MVP Mo’unga, 31, who will return to New Zealand when his three-year deal finishes in June, spoke to the media at the club’s headquarters in Fuchu as Todd Blackadder’s side prepare to face Frans Ludeke’s Kubota in a rematch of last year’s final. Champions Toshiba had a wildly inconsiste

Mark Pickering
May 242 min read


NZR chief rules Toshiba’s Richie Mo’unga out of South Africa tour
Newly-appointed New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster has reiterated the organisation's stance on the eligibility of overseas players and confirmed that Toshiba’s Richie Mo’unga will not be available for selection this summer. Back-to-back League One winner and MVP Mo’unga, 31, is in the final month of his three-year contract with Todd Blackadder’s Toshiba Brave Lupus and will return to New Zealand in June on an 18-month contract. The contract, which was announced

Mark Pickering
May 112 min read


Shizuoka’s Valynce Te Whare out for 10 months following ACL injury
Shizuoka Blue Revs wing Valynce Te Whare has been ruled out for 10 months after being diagnosed with a ruptured ACL. The 25-year-old, who joined the club in 2024 after being released by NRL side the Dolphins, has starred on his return to the 15-man game with 14 tries in 28 appearances in League One. Te Whare scored in the 26-21 loss against Honda Heat on February 22 on the half-hour mark before injury struck with just six minutes left in the game. Shizuoka’s Waikato native -

Mark Pickering
Mar 62 min read


Toshiba’s MVP Richie Mo’unga to return to New Zealand in 2026
Toshiba Brave Lupus' double League One winner and back-to-back MVP Richie Mo’unga will return to New Zealand in 2026 after completing his...

Mark Pickering
Aug 7, 20252 min read
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