Out-of-contract Toshiba Brave Lupus wing Jone Naikabula has handed the reigning League One champions a major boost by inking a new four-year deal with the club.
Fiji-born speedster Naikabula, 30, scored 12 tries for the Fuchu side this season as he lit up the country's star-laden top-flight.
Japan's Rugby World Cup star crossed against Suntory Sungoliath in the semi-finals to seal their progression and scored an electric brace in the final against former champions Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
Naikabula, who hails from Nadroga, a village of about 200 people in Fiji, was courted by a host of overseas clubs including Top 14 sides and was one of 17 players out of contract at Toshiba this summer.
Todd Blackadder’s side have been able to hold onto all of their key names except for centre and Brave Blossoms newcomer Nicholas McCurran who has joined big-spending Toyota Verblitz.
Toshiba has plenty of cover in the midfield area with former All Black Seta Tamanivalu, hard-working Palmerston North product Rob Thompson and former Osprey Michael Collins joining the ever-improving Yuto Mori as options.
All Blacks duo Richie Mo'unga, who was named Japan Rugby League’s Most Valuable Player, and Shannon Frizell, who scored 10 tries last term, have been linked with moves back to Super Rugby but are poised to return for a bid to defend their inaugural League One title.
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