Australia U20s captain Toby Macpherson has completed a loan move to Japan for the 2024/25 season.
Japan Rugby League One chairman Genichi Tamatsuka says his league is the 'perfect preparation' for elite international rugby on the back of an intense summer of rugby in the Rugby Championship and Pacific Nations Cup.
Sydney Roosters utility Joseph Manu is leaning on the likes of Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams for some rugby advice.
With the semi-finalists and Replacement Battle (promotion/relegation series) candidates all but sorted, the final round of the regular season in Japan Rugby League One, which kicks off on Saturday, will be as much about individual goals as it will be team ones, for many of the players involved.
Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley has bagged 17 points, including his third try in four weeks, to spark a spectacular revival by Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay as they beat Mie Honda Heat 61-24 in Japan Rugby League One.
Legendary All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has tipped Joseph Manu to have “similar success” to dual international Sonny Bill Williams.
NRL superstar Joseph Manu will line up alongside Rugby World Cup winners Aaron Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit next season after signing with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.
Foster would be coaching against the likes of familiar friends and foes in Dave Rennie, Robbie Deans and Todd Blackadder in League One.