Shannon Frizell (L) and Richie Mo'unga (R) will join Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in 2024, the Japanese club has announced. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell will leave the Crusaders and the Highlanders respectively, to move to Japan at the end of next season.
The two All Blacks will then join Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, who are coached by ex-New Zealand captain Todd Blackadder, the Japanese club said today.
Under New Zealand Rugby rules, Mo'unga and Frizell, both 28, will not be eligible to play for the All Blacks while in Japan. The duo are set to join the club after next year's Rugby World Cup in France.
Frizell has made 25 appearances for the All Blacks since making his debut in 2018. He has also played 57 games for the Highlanders.
Mo'unga has 44 All Blacks caps and has also spent nine seasons with the Crusaders, playing 94 times and scoring more than 1,000 points.
He said he was looking forward to experiencing rugby with an overseas team.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity and to be part of the Lupus family I plan on doing everything I can to make Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo the number one team in Japan," he said in the media release.
"It's a dream of mine to play rugby overseas and to experience a different culture and I know this will be an amazing experience for my family."
- Reuters, RNZ