EXCL: Fijiana ace Josifini Neihamu to join Japanese team

Fijiana starlet Josifini Neihamu, the younger sister of Japan and Toshiba Brave Lupus wing Jone Naikabula, has signed for the Mie Pearls, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal.

Inside-centre Neihamu, 22, burst onto the international stage at the women’s World Cup last year and was nominated for the World Rugby Women's 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award.

Neihamu on the attack for Fiji - Picture courtesy of Fiji Rugby

The Vagadra, Nadroga native, who like her dynamic brother is known for her line breaks and blistering speed, will arrive in Japan on Saturday.

Neihamu last represented her country in September in Hong Kong as Fiji's fast-rising women's team clinched the inaugural WXV Global Series Challenger series after beating the Netherlands 20-17 in an action-packed title decider.

Siblings Josifini and Jone at the JAPAN BASE in Fukuoka last month

Yokkaichi-based Pearls, winners of the All-Japan Women's Rugby Football Championship in 2021, appointed former Black Ferns star Renee Woodman-Wickliffe as the new head coach of their 15-woman team in September.

Former Swami Vivekanada College u17 wing Neihamu, who only started playing rugby in 2022, arrives from Fijian Drua ahead of the new Japanese season’s November launch.

Neihamu holding her niece at the 2024 League One final in Tokyo as Naikabula receives his Player of the Match award

The Pearls will kick off their 29th Kansai Women's Rugby campaign on Sunday 22 November away against their A League rivals Kyushu-Nagato Joint Team at Yamane Stadium Tawarayama in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

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