RugbyJP.com Gossip Column

Welcome to the latest edition of RugbyJP.com’s Gossip Column as we round-up all the latest news, transfer rumours, departures and more.  

RugbyJP understands Brumbies fly-half Noah Lolesio, 25, will not be replacing the outgoing Quade Cooper at Osaka-based Kintetsu Liners or joining Funabashi side Kubota Spears. Lolesio has announced that he has signed a one-year deal with a Japanese side. Once-beaten division two leaders Toyota Shuttles are favourites to have snapped up the Wallabies star. 

RugbyJP can reveal that the Shuttles' former England international Freddie Burns, 34, whose the top try scorer and top points scorer in the second tier, is out of contract at the end of the season and is considering his next move. 

All Blacks wing Mark Tele'a has announced his exit from the Blues and NZ Rugby. RugbyJP can reveal a photo from 9 April – the day news broke of his overseas move - of a sports agent from Thomas, Roux and Associates with Toyota’s head coaches Steve Hansen and Tele’a’s ex-All Blacks boss Ian Foster in Aichi. 

The former World Rugby breakout player of the year, who has scored 13 tries in 19 Tests for his country, will be ineligible for New Zealand next year and is expected to arrive in Japan at the end of 2025. 

RugbyJP understands that Black Rams wing Semisi Tupou (below), 25, who has scored four tries this season, is set to join his older brother William Tupou, 34, at Toyota Verblitz this summer. The ex-Saitama player, who qualifies for Japan on residency grounds, has scored four tries this season for the ever-improving Black Rams.

Toyota centre Joseph Manu has been linked with an NRL return. Manu, 28, who has scored 10 tries in League One has reportedly already penned a deal with Top 14 outfit Racing Metro but is considering a U-turn (Sydney Morning Herald)

RugbyJP contacted Racing Metro and asked if the club could confirm or deny these reports. Racing Metro told RugbyJP.com: “No information by the Racing side.” 

Urayasu D-Rocks' number eight Jasper Wiese has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing neck surgery (D-Rocks)

The Springboks star suffered the injury while warming up on Friday 14 March ahead of their clash against Kubota Spears. Urayasu said he will return to action in the 25-26 season. The basement side are all but guaranteed to be in a relegation/promotion play-off with a division two side  

Former New Zealand u20s international Hunter Morrison, 22, has been drafted in to boost their forwards options. 

Toshiba ace Richie Mo’unga has been invited to join the ANZAC team to play the British and Irish Lions by his former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal.

South African starlet Damian Markus, 21, has left high-flying Shizuoka Blue Revs. Markus sustained a season-ending injury (fibular fracture, posterior malleolar fracture, and distal tibiofibular ligament) on 18 January. Title candidates Shizuoka officially announced his departure on 7 April (Shizuoka). 

Pictures courtesy of Rugby Australia, League One, Shizuoka