RugbyJP.com Gossip Column

Welcome to the latest edition of RugbyJP.com’s Gossip Column where we share exclusive news, transfer details and more.

Please credit RugbyJP.com if you use any of the below exclusives in your publication.

Super Rugby’s beaten quarter-finalists the Hurricanes announced the departure of midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen, 27, on Friday. RugbyJP can exclusively reveal that the Lower Hutt native - who is also the nephew of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga and the late ex-All Black Jerry Collins - is heading to Osaka-based division two side Kintetsu Liners.  

Japanese prop Shuhei Takeuchi, 26, who was named in Japan’s latest training squad on Thursday, has held talks with French Pro D2 side FC Grenoble Rugby. Takeuchi, who has 13 caps for his country, announced his departure from Urayasu D-Rocks on 1 June. Any potential deal could depend on whether Grenoble can secure promotion to France’s top-flight. 

Ex-NRL and Super League star Daniel Vidot, 35, who is currently competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) as Xyon, has told RugbyJP about his desire to play rugby union for the first time in Japan. 

Brisbane-born Vidot has represented Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup and is currently a member of the USA team based on residency grounds having called time on his highly-lucrative league career in 2017 to pursue pro wrestling in North America for the industry-leading WWE.

Kanagawa-based Vidot, who made his AJPW debut in March and competed in their prestigious Champion Carnival tournament in April, told RugbyJP: “I’d love to show a Japanese club what I can offer.” 

The former Canberra Raiders, Brisbane Broncos and Salford Red Devils star, who has permission from his AJPW boss Tsuyoki Fukuda to play rugby, added: “I’m allowed to lace up the boots in Japan for a union team so I’m exploring my rugby options now.” Click here to visit Vidot's Instagram account

Secom Rugguts full-back Chase Tiatia, 29, who scored 14 tries in 16 games for the division three side in his first year in Japan, will be back next season to play for Scott Pierce’s side.  

RugbyJP understands that the division three Player of the Year and ex-Super Rugby standout inked a two-year deal when he joined the Saitama outfit in 2024 and is keen for another promotion tilt after narrowly losing out to Siale Piutau’s Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks in the promotion/relegation play-off in May.

Honda Heat captain and Los Pumas ace Pablo Matera, 31, has hinted that his time in Japan could be coming to end.

The Buenos Aires native spoke to RugbyJP about his club future following their victory over Kintetsu Liners in the relegation/promotion play-off in Suzuka.

After a try-scoring Player of The Match display in the second leg win over the Liners, Matera, who has 109 caps for Argentina, told RugbyJP: “I didn’t want to spend my last season (2025-2026) here in the second division.”

Matera joined Honda in 2022 and is currently preparing to play the British and Irish Lions in Dublin next week.

RugbyJP spotted free agent and former Japan sevens international Michael Toloke, 35, whose a free agent after leaving Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, at the Top East League Spring Tournament clash between Tokyo Gas and Akita Northern Bullets on Sunday.  

The Tonga-born number eight, who previously played in the Top East League for Kamaishi Seawaves in 2016, was seen talking to Tokyo Gas staff members during the game and to their player's post-match.

Toshiba Brave Lupus’ South African lock PJ Steenkamp was also in attendance at the above game to watch his friend and Akita full-back Shaun Williams, the Blitzboks’ Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist. Steenkamp, 27, is a free agent after leaving the back-to-back champions after two years in Fuchu.  

Pictures courtesy of JRLO and individuals named