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Hurricanes to partner with Japanese club as New Zealand rugby strengthens links abroad

Will this deal help the Hurricanes keep hold of talents like Beauden Barrett? Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has not been afraid to maximise its interest outside of the country, with the union’s partnership with Harlequins in the Gallagher Premiership making the headlines last season.

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The two entities have strong links with Adidas, which was believed to be a motivating factor behind the agreement, and the union between the two should see an exchange of coaching staff and knowledge, as well as potential commercial alignments, with NZR particularly keen to tap into the London market. There is also the potential for Harlequins to become a preferred destination for Kiwi players looking for sabbaticals in Europe.

Following that affiliation, it seems Japanese electronics giant Ricoh is now driving further collaboration between rugby in New Zealand and other parts of the world.

The company, who have been a “long-time supporter and partner” of the Hurricanes, have seen that support evolve into a new three-year partnership between the New Zealand franchise and the Ricoh Black Rams in the Japanese Top League.

The agreement will see players, coaches and high performance staff from the Japanese side spend time in the Hurricanes camp, with high performance staff from the ‘Canes also heading to Tokyo to assist the Blacks Rams during their domestic season.

Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee, said “We have had a strong commercial partnership with Ricoh New Zealand and we are delighted to formalise this agreement which will benefit the Hurricanes and the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan.”

“It’s a massive year ahead for rugby in Japan with the Rugby World Cup and we look forward to supporting the Black Rams and growing our presence here.”

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With it becoming increasingly difficult for Kiwi Super Rugby sides to keep their players in the country, with the money on offer in Europe and Japan far exceeding that in New Zealand, this agreement, as well as the one NZR signed with Harlequins, gives the Hurricanes and NZR more control and influence over clubs that could be seen as potential destinations for sabbaticals.

That pathway will work in both directions, too, and Japanese centre Aki Makita has been training with the Hurricanes over the last few weeks and will turn out for the franchise’s Hurricanes Hunters side against Japan A this weekend.

Strategically affiliating with sides in Europe and Japan could be key for New Zealand staying at the top of the international game as the rugby world evolves over the coming years.

Watch: Rugby World Cup City Guide – Tokyo

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Nickers 35 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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