1
Kubota Spears have named an All Black as Malcolm Marx's replacement
By Liam Heagney
Monday’s confirmation that Malcolm Marx has withdrawn from the Kubota Spears team for the 2023/24 Japanese Rugby League One season has been followed by the swift naming of his replacement – All Blacks hooker Dane Coles.
Marx was part of the Spears team last May that won the club’s first-ever piece of silverware when they became the second team to win the Japan Rugby League One trophy when beating Saitama Wild Knights 17-15 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
The plan was for the Springboks hooker to return to the club for the upcoming season after the completion of the Rugby World Cup.
However, after featuring in their opening pool win over Scotland, he suffered a serious knee injury in training ahead of the clash with Romania and was replaced in the squad by fly-half Handre Pollard.
That forced Marx to head home to South Africa but he was in France last week for the final and was still on crutches when attending the match against the All Blacks and the following night’s World Rugby 2023 awards ceremony.
In a video message released on Monday, Marx, who is contracted until the end of the 2025 season, said: "Unfortunately, due to my injury, I won't be able to play next season but I will be back for the following season, hopefully. Please carry on your amazing support towards the team. The team and everybody really appreciate it."
With a spot to fill on their roster, the Spears have announced the signing of Coles, who played three World Cup matches for the All Blacks off the bench.
A statement read: “We are pleased to announce that Dane Coles has joined Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay as an additional player for the 2023/24 season. Dane Coles is expected to join the team on December 12.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Israel Folau to make rugby return despite mid-week Lions disappointmen
3
Gregor Townsend: It’s the first time since 2000 that we’ve been to NZ
4
England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie's club future appears done
5
Latest Comments
When life gives you reasons to be sad, say No and Make the world know that you have more than a thousand reasons to smile. I almost gave up on my quest of finding a permanent cure to this nasty virus called HIV. I never thought i would be HIV negative again after been diagnosed in 2018, i have tried everything possible in life from one doctor to another, one hospital to another, series of tests, different kinds of medication, i had already lost hope until i melt Mara Clifton who kindly told me about DR ODIGIE who do cure difference virus by the preparation of herbs and roots. I searched about the DR online which leads me to different testimonies about the great herbal DR. I decided to make up my mind to give him a try, I contacted his email that was given in the post and I followed him with all seriousness and I did all he instructed me and he sent me a herbal medicine which i took for 14 days. After the 14th day dr ODIGIE told me to go for another test to confirm my new hiv status. To my greatest surprise, the disease that seemed incurable disappeared within 14 days of using his herbal remedy. I am writing this here in order to put you in the know that there is a cure for this virus. It is time to stop believing in the medical doctors who say to us there is no cure for Cancer, Herpes, Hiv and many more viruses. I just want you to know that if you are going through any health challenge, contact this man and follow his instructions diligently and have a disease free life. his email is (drodigiehealthcure@gmail.com) safe your life today because healthy health is wealth and a good health worth more than wealth famous, so please get back your health by getting in touch with DR ODIGIE kindly get him contacted by emailing him or call/Whatsapp on (+2347049458624
Go to commentsJesus wept! What's that in old money? 20 stones?
Go to comments