All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has signed with Japan's Toyota Verblitz.
Tuipulotu, who led the Blues to the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title, signed a contract with NZ Rugby through 2025 and the new deal allowed him a season in Japan, with a return home in mid-2022.
Tuipulotu is reunited with former World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, who is now director of rugby at the club, while he will play under coach Simon Cron, also a Kiwi.
"I hope I can add value and assist Toyota in their goal of being the best club in Japan," Tuipulotu says. "It will be pleasing to see some familiar faces at the club."
Tuipulotu will join fellow newcomer and star Springboks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has also signed on with the Japan Rugby League One (formerly Top League) side.
Du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019, when the Springboks won the World Cup.
"Toyota Verblitz is a club that is well respected and an institution that reflects hard work, high performance and elite standards," he says. "It's a privilege to be part of such an environment."
Verblitz lost to Panasonic Wild Knights in the 2021 semi-finals, with the new season scheduled to kick off in January.
Reuters.
