Latest news with #KobelcoSteelers
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Laumape joins Aus/NZ combined side to face Lions
Laumape will play for Moana Pasifika in the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby seasons [Getty Images] All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape, who started the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, has been named in the combined Australia and New Zealand squad to face the Lions. The 32-year-old scored the opening try in the third Test against the Lions in 2017 after making his All Blacks debut in their second Test defeat in Wellington. Advertisement Laumape earned his call-up to the Test series after impressing for the Hurricanes in a thrilling warm-up match against the Lions, which ended 31-31. The hard-running centre, who has been playing for Japanese side Kobelco Steelers, won the last of his 15 caps in 2020. Laumape has opted to play his rugby outside of New Zealand since 2021, but will join Auckland-based Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Highly rated Blues prop Josh Fusitua has also been added to the combined Australia and New Zealand squad. Organisers of the fixture, to be staged at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 12 July, have failed with approaches to New Zealand fly-half Richie Mo'unga and former Australia captain Michael Hooper. Advertisement In other news, Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway has been released back to the NSW Waratahs for their game against the Lions on Saturday, with Corey Toole returning to the ACT Brumbies. Wider training members Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott have also returned to their Super Rugby clubs. Last week Australia head coach Joe Schmidt rejected claims from the Lions that he must release all of his biggest stars to their clubs side, saying it would be a "counter-productive" move.
RNZ News
17-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Ardie Savea confirms sabbatical to play in Japan
Ardie Savea brought plenty of attention to the North Shore in 2025. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 Moana Pasifika are set to lose their inspirational leader for next season. Ardie Savea has announced he will skip next year's Super Rugby campaign to take up a sabbatical in Japan. The Moana Pasifika skipper will return 2027 after a one-year stint with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in 2026. The 31-year-old is exercising a clause included in his contract with New Zealand Rugby when he re-signed last year. "I have so much love for what we started with Moana this year so I'm looking forward to coming back in 2027," Savea said. "It's hard to leave, even though it's only for one season, but I'll be supporting the team from afar and will stay involved behind the scenes. This year at Moana Pasifika was the happiest I've been in my career. "On the other hand, Japan is a special place and I love the culture and the people. It's exciting to return to a club that has given me an opportunity to have beautiful experiences on and off the field." Savea is returning to the Japanese club he played for in 2024 and will still be eligible for All Blacks Tests when he returns midway through 2026. "Ardie obviously goes with our blessing," said Moana Pasifika head coach Fa'alogo Tana Umaga. "These sabbaticals are part of the modern game and we have been preparing for this for some time. We will continue to build the momentum of our movement in 2026 and work hard to grow our game so that we will be even better when he gets back to us in 2027." Moana finished just outside the top six in 2025, beating all but one New Zealand franchise. Savea was influential in the side's rise, his effort in the win over the Blues described as the greatest individual performance in Super Rugby history. After announcing the mass departure of 16 players, Moana Pasifika have since signed former All Black Ngani Laumape for next season.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Harlequins complete deal for Scotland hooker Turner
Harlequins have signed Scotland hooker George Turner for the 2025-26 season. The 32-year-old made more than 100 appearances for Glasgow Warriors between 2017 and 2024, and was most recently at the Kobelco Steelers in Japan. He has 45 caps for Scotland and featured in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, scoring ten tries during his international career."I'm really looking forward to this next step in my career," Turner said."After some fantastic years in Scotland and a new experience in Japan, the opportunity to join this club came at the perfect time."It's an exciting challenge and one I'm ready for. I'm eager to get stuck into pre-season, meet the squad and contribute to what this team is building. The ambition here is clear, and I'm proud to be joining Harlequins."
