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Writer's pictureMark Pickering

Division three newcomers Secom Rugguts sign Super Rugby stalwart

League One division three new boys Secom Rugguts has sealed a major transfer coup in signing utility back Chase Tiatia from Western Force.

Former Samoa u20 international Tiatia, 28, started his career with New Zealand provincial sides Wellington and Bay of Plenty and made his debut for Dave Rennie’s Chiefs against the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

The exciting Lower Hutt-born flyer made his Super Rugby debut in 2019 for the Hurricanes and made 27 appearances for Perth-based Western Force since joining in 2023 and scored 30 points.

Former Kamaishi Seawaves head coach Scott Pierce’s Rugguts side were promoted from the regional Top East League least season to League One’s expanded third tier alongside fellow newcomers Yakult Levins Toda and LeRIRO Fukuoka.  

Secom rose to international notoriety earlier this year when their veteran lock Cory Hill received a surprise call-up to the Wales squad as exclusively revealed by RugbyJP.com.

The Saitama-based side, who were founded in 1985, played in the Top League (Japan’s precursor to League One) for three seasons (2003-2004, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007) when their ranks included legends such as Samoan great Brian Lima and Fijian star Seremaia Bai. 

Ex-St Pats Silverstream schoolboy starlet Tiatia won the Duane Monkley Medal (provincial Player of The Year Award) in 2019 after an impressive NPC campaign with the Bay of Plenty and has made 64 Super Rugby appearances.

Secom’s latest summer addition has an X factor that will excite fans who can expect to see his lethal counter attacking and strong kicking game as well as his ability to offload in the tackle.

The club, who signed their first non-Japanese player in 1995 in Australia's Ron Westdropp, has also swooped to bring back Tonga-born centre Fisipuna Tuiaki to Saitama.

Former Japan sevens international Tuiaki, 29, played for the Rugguts from 2018 to 2021 before leaving to turn professional and join Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars to test himself in League One’s top-flight.

The Tenri University graduate was an office employee for Secom - whose parent company is a long-running and leading home security company - during his previous stint with the club. Tuiaki worked in their office in Harajuku as he balanced being a salaryman with his rugby career.  

Ex-Pontypool lock Pierce’s youthful side has also been bolstered by the arrival of New Zealand-born lock Troy Hayden Callander from Top East League outfit Tokyo Gas.  

The Rugguts open their season on 21 December against Kurita Water Gush Akishima at Ashikaga Athletics Stadium in Tochigi. 

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