Super Rugby’s Warner Dearns and Mamoru Harada to return to Toshiba

Japan captain Warner Dearns and Moana Pasifika hooker Mamoru Harada will both return to Japan Rugby League One duty next season, their parent club Toshiba Brave Lupus officially announced on Thursday.

Hurricanes lock Dearns, 23, has been a standout performer for Super Rugby’s title contenders while fellow Brave Blossoms international Harada, 27 - who was named as his country’s co-captain last year before withdrawing from the Pacific Nations Cup due to injury - has struggled for game time at the beleaguered Auckland franchise. 

Back-to-back League One champions Toshiba were unable to achieve an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ this season as they lost their quarter-final to eventual runners-up Kubota Spears last month. 

Todd Blackadder’s side endured a testing season, including a run of seven consecutive losses, as they narrowly secured sixth-place to lock down the final play-off spot. 

The former Crusaders head coach is preparing for life without All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell, who have returned to New Zealand to become eligible for World Cup selection next year, while Fiji international Seta Tamanivalu is also among their 12 departures.

Fuchu-based Toshiba now have three open Category C (capped by a country other than Japan) slots on their roster to fill.

"It's going to be a real challenge, we've been lucky enough to have those players here over the last three years," Blackadder told RugbyJP.com. 

"Richie, as a leader, has been instrumental for us and Seta too. That's a really good challenge for the group. With those three leaving, can we still find a way to become a stronger team.

"Along with the management team we've been working hard on recruitment to strengthen those areas. We want to draw on the strengths of the existing group and we want everyone to work a little bit harder to fill those gaps.

"When players leave it's also an opportunity for others to step up. Hopefully, the legacy of those players here, will be the way those players who step up can perform for us."

Blackadder officially confirmed the return of Dearns and Harada, who were both named in Eddie Jones’ pre-Nations Championship Brave Blossoms squad on Wednesday, for the 2026-2027 season. 

“Warner is coming back,” the former All Black confirmed. 

“He has been outstanding for the Hurricanes. It’s great to see him go over over there as a representative for us and just dominating. I still think they will lose the final to the Crusaders (laughs).

“It’s fantastic news to see Harada back in a Toshiba jersey again as well as (Honda Heat fly-half) Hayato Nakao. That’s great news for the club.”

Dearns, who recently revealed that he has two years left on his Toshiba contract, starts for Clark Laidlaw’s side in their home semi-final against the 2024 champions the Blues on Saturday.

He will link up with the Japan squad in Miyazaki following the completion of his first Super Rugby campaign while Harada will arrive on Saturday.

Harada said in a press release: "My experience at Moana Pasifika has been a great asset to me. I would like to give all of that back to the team and contribute to victory. As a member of Brave Lupus, I will give my all to move this team's history forward once again."

Nakao, 31, who has one cap for Japan, is happy to return to his former club.

"This club is special to me, and I am looking forward to fighting for it again. I will do my best to become a player who embodies the club's DNA."

Bruising midfielder Rob Thompson was among the Toshiba contingent called up by the Brave Blossoms with the former Māori All Black named in Japan's training squad.

The ex-Toyota Verblitz centre, 34, a product of Palmerston North, has been an integral part of the club's League One success and has become eligible for Japan this season.

Blackadder highlighted former Highlanders man Thompson's qualities and what he can add to the Japanese team.

"The form he’s been in, he’s so physical and dynamic, he will bring a lot of ball carrying ability," he told RugbyJP.

"He’s got a good skillset. I think he’s been picked for his toughness and his mindset. He’s a really good addition.

"If they give him an opportunity, what he can bring is a maturity in his game, he’s a man, he’s learnt a lot of lessons. I hope he gets an opportunity."

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