A changed focus in Japan to hook rugby's big fish is behind an alteration of direction at the departure gates for New Zealand players.
Former All Black Craig Innes is not surprised to see an expanding number of elite players leave for Japan rather than Europe, where the economic downturn and heavy demands of top French and United Kingdom clubs are seen as less attractive.
This week Anthony Boric became the ninth member of the 2011 World Cup-winning All Blacks squad to sign with a Japanese club, following Jerome Kaino, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Adam Thomson.
Former All Black Craig Innes is not surprised to see an expanding number of elite players leave for Japan rather than Europe, where the economic downturn and heavy demands of top French and United Kingdom clubs are seen as less attractive.
This week Anthony Boric became the ninth member of the 2011 World Cup-winning All Blacks squad to sign with a Japanese club, following Jerome Kaino, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Adam Thomson.
RSS Feed