Eddie Jones: Leitch Backed Dearns for Captaincy

Japan head coach Eddie Jones has revealed that Brave Blossoms great Michael Leitch nominated history-making Warner Dearns to captain his country.

Toshiba’s two-time League One-winning lock Dearns, 23, has been appointed as Japan’s co-captain with club teammate Mamoru Harada for the Pacific Nations Cup 2025.

While the talismanic Leitch, who has represented his adopted country at four World Cup tournaments, is unavailable due to personal reasons, Jones revealed that a strong endorsement from the Toshiba captain was a major factor in Hurricanes-bound Dearns getting the nod for Saturday’s game against Canada.

The Wellington-born second-row becomes the youngest captain in Brave Blossoms history with Harada unavailable for the game in Sendai due fitness issues.

Japan's new captain Warner Dearns

Jones was full of praise for his newly-appointed captain as Japan builds towards the 2027 World Cup.

“It’s a great occasion for Warner being the game captain for Japan (against Canada).

“What he’s done over the last week and a half (in training) has been very good. Harada is not fit to play but has also been very influential. It’s a good start to the tour and an enormous honour to captain Japan. We’re looking forward to the game.”

The former England and Wallabies head coach, who has been discussing the game’s burning issues and key Test matches on the Rugby Unity podcast, revealed that an endorsement from Toshiba and Japan legend Michael Leitch was pivotal in Dearns’ appointment.

“A strong recommendation came from Michael Leitch for us to pick Warner as our captain and I took that very seriously,” said the 2017 World Rugby Coach of The Year.

“Leitch is most the most influential person in Japanese rugby. That's a head start. Warner is a young guy still trying to find the best in himself and sometimes this extra responsibility can help someone.

“He has a good relationship with the other players. We want him to be the best lock in the world and we think he can this can help him achieve that.” 

Japan’s world-class lock will join the Hurricanes on a one-year deal for the 2026 Super Rugby season and will then return to his Fuchu-based parent club ahead of the 2026-2027 League One season.

The towering 6ft 8in lock grew up in Hawke’s Bay before moving to Japan during his second year of junior high school when his father Grant was a strength and conditioning coach at NEC Green Rockets.

Dearns has been an integral member of Toshiba’s League One title wins in 2024 and 2025 while also impressing during his 23 caps for Japan.

Reacting to his richly-deserved appointment, Dearns said: “This is my first time being captain. I was really happy when I was named.

“(Captaining against Canada) is a good challenge, and I see it as a major point in my quest to become the best lock in the world. I want to lead the team with my play and my efforts."

Japan's XV to face Canada on Saturday in Sendai

Japan’s opponents Canada are coming off a notable win over 2031 World Cup hosts USA which has put them in the brink of qualifying for the 2027 tournament after failing to appear in Paris two years ago.  

Stay tuned to RugbyJP for coverage of the Pacific Nations Cup 2025