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Brumbies playmaker off to Japan
By Online Editors
Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano will play the 2018 Japanese Top League Season for Toyota Shokki after signing a deal with the club this week.
Lealiifano, who has racked up over 800 points with the Brumbies, enjoyed a similar spell with Ulster Rugby in the PRO14 last season and was due to play in the Japanese League until falling ill in 2016.
“I am really looking forward to the unique experience of playing in Japan,” Lealiifano commented.
“This is something that I have wanted to do for some time and had to postpone due to my illness. This is a fantastic opportunity to play in a different environment and a different culture and it’s something that appeals to me.
“I am excited about the prospect of playing for Toyota Shokki. Before then, however, my focus will be on finishing the season strongly at the Brumbies and helping to continue our recent good form.”
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Lealiifano will move to Japan at the conclusion of the Super Rugby season and will play with Toyota Shokki until the culmination of their season, a move which the Brumbies were happy to assist with.
“The Brumbies are supportive of Christian playing in Japan,” Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson said in regards to Lealiifano’s decision.
“Christian's form has continued to improve as the season has progressed culminating in the Brumbies two strong performances in our most recent games.
"We appreciate that he is keen to experience another culture and the Japanese Top League timing affords him that opportunity this year. We wish him luck with his endeavours.”
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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