New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu also snapped up for Steve Hansen’s side
06 September 2021 - 17:29
byRohith Nair
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Pieter-Steph du Toit. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES/ESA ALEXANDER
Bengaluru — Toyota Verblitz has signed SA loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu ahead of the new season, the Japanese side said on Monday.
Du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019 when the Springboks won the World Cup.
“Toyota Verblitz is a club that is well respected and an institution that reflects hard work, high performance and elite standards. It’s a privilege to be part of such an environment,” he said.
Tuipulotu, who led the Blues to the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title, signed a contract with New Zealand Rugby to 2025 and the new deal permitted him to move to Japan with a return home slated for mid-2022.
Tuipulotu is reunited with former All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen, who is now director of rugby at the club, while he will be playing under coach Simon Cron, also a New Zealander.
“I hope I can add value and assist Toyota in their goal of being the best club in Japan,” Tuipulotu said. “It will be pleasing to see some familiar faces at the club.”
Verblitz lost to Panasonic Wild Knights in the semifinals last season. The new season is scheduled to kick off in January.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Japan’s Verblitz signs Pieter-Steph du Toit
New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu also snapped up for Steve Hansen’s side
Bengaluru — Toyota Verblitz has signed SA loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and New Zealand lock Patrick Tuipulotu ahead of the new season, the Japanese side said on Monday.
Du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019 when the Springboks won the World Cup.
“Toyota Verblitz is a club that is well respected and an institution that reflects hard work, high performance and elite standards. It’s a privilege to be part of such an environment,” he said.
Tuipulotu, who led the Blues to the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title, signed a contract with New Zealand Rugby to 2025 and the new deal permitted him to move to Japan with a return home slated for mid-2022.
Tuipulotu is reunited with former All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Steve Hansen, who is now director of rugby at the club, while he will be playing under coach Simon Cron, also a New Zealander.
“I hope I can add value and assist Toyota in their goal of being the best club in Japan,” Tuipulotu said. “It will be pleasing to see some familiar faces at the club.”
Verblitz lost to Panasonic Wild Knights in the semifinals last season. The new season is scheduled to kick off in January.
Reuters
Bok young guns are learning new tricks, says Willemse
Springboks lie in wait for wounded Wallabies
All Blacks ready for more tests of depth after Bledisloe sweep
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.