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Johnny Fa'auli heading to Japan after signing new deal

By Online Editors
Faauli vs Reds

Johnny Fa’auli’s last act in Chiefs colours will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, with the under-fire midfielder set to depart at seasons end after committing to a two-year deal in Japan reports Stuff.co.nz.

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Fa’auli is believed to be joining Japanese Top League club Toshiba, who are captained by former Chiefs player and All Black Richard Kahui. Liam Messam has also spent time at the club, solidifying links between the two teams. Fa’auli’s deal is not similar to structured off-season stints done for Jordan Taufua and Liam Squire. He leaves with no return to Super Rugby in sight, at least not in New Zealand anyway. He could push his way into contention with the Sunwolves under ex-Highlanders coach Tony Brown.

He was off contract at the end of the season but his deal was reportedly completed before he was red carded for this rising tackle on Hurricanes centre Wes Goosen.

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His subsequent six-week suspension will be largely filled by August 31st, the day the Top League season begins.

With other midfield options Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams also moving on from the Chiefs, Anton Lienert-Brown will be looking for a new centre partner for next season. Sean Wainui could move in from the wing or Alex Nankivell, Sam McNicol, Levi Aumua and Regan Verney can push their cases forward.

Fa’auli attended St Kentigern College in Auckland, making the New Zealand schoolboys side in 2013. He debuted at in provincial level in 2015 with Counties Manukau before moving to Taranaki. He played 17 times for the Chiefs at Super Rugby level after debuting in 2017.

In other news:

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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