Rugby Union

The Australians gunning for Japanese rugby glory

By AAP Newswire

Dec 12, 2025

(L-R) Dave Rennie and Bernard Foley. — Dave Rennie (l) and Bernard Foley (r) are among many Kiwis and Aussies plying their trade in Japan. -AAP Image

Dave Rennie is aiming to become the latest ex-Wallabies coach to make it big in Japan as he prepares to steer a Kobe Steelers outfit boosted by the arrival of Ardie Savea.

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Robbie Deans, who has stepped back from a full-time role with Saitama Wild Knights, won the Japan Rugby League One on five occasions.

Two-time Brave Blossoms boss Eddie Jones was successful in the 2012-13 season.

Rennie could enhance that legacy by winning in his third season at Kobe, who have finished fifth and third under his watch.

Rennie ended with 14 wins from 34 matches as Wallabies coach, a win-rate of 41 per cent that edges current boss Joe Schmidt (40 per cent - 11 wins from 27 matches).

All eyes will be on Rennie's team when the season begins on Saturday.

Kobe made the headline signing of the off-season, with ex-World Rugby Player of the Year Savea returning to Kansai after playing 15 matches two years ago.

Fellow All Black Anton Lienert-Brown has also joined, with the pair captained by their former Test teammate Brodie Retallick.

Elsewhere, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga will be out to sign off from three years at Brave Lupus Tokyo with a third straight title, to sit alongside seven from Super Rugby.

The threats to the defending champions include the Wild Knights, who have ex-Wallaby Berrick Barnes running the backs at the club where he won three titles as a player.

Former Wallaby Bernard Foley will again have new World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx alongside him as Spears Funabashi Bay seek to go one step further than last term, when they narrowly lost the championship game.

While Joey Manu departed Verblitz for the French Top 14, the NRL influence in the league continues, with former Parramatta Eels try king Semi Radradra joining ex-Dolphins winger Valynce Te Whare at Shizuoka BlueRevs.

Australian-born Brave Blossoms flyhalf Sam Greene is also at the BlueRevs.

Ex-Queensland Reds second-rower Harry Hockings, who debuted for Japan last month, will again be a key man for Tokyo Sungoliath, playing alongside veteran Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon.

More than 50 foreign Test players are suiting up for the new season, including the ex-Wallabies pair of Noah Lolesio and Christian Leali'ifano, who have joined second division outfit, Shuttles Aichi.