Plus500 Brumbies playmaker Wharenui Hawera has been granted an early release from the Brumbies season in order to take up an offer to play Top League rugby in Japan.
Hawera, who signed for the Brumbies at the start of the 2017 season, will link up with the Kubota Spears, a team based in Funabashi, Chiba, who can name legendary Brumby wing Joe Roff as a former player.
“We would like to thank Wharenui for his service to the club and for his time as a player at the Plus500 Brumbies,” CEO Phil Thomson commented.
“This is a great opportunity for Wharenui that he wanted to take up to be in Japan in June, which we are willing to support and the Brumbies club wishes him all the best for his future”
During his time with the Brumbies Hawera, who made his debut for the club in the 2017 Round 1 clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch, becoming Brumby #188, played 36 games and contributed 190 points via 2 tries, 42 conversions and 32 penalties.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Brumbies and playing in Super Rugby, but feel this is a great opportunity for me at this stage of my career,” Hawera said of the move.
“The Japanese Top League is a well-established competition and I’m looking forward to playing my part at Kubota Spears.
“I’d like to thank Dan and the coaching staff, and everyone connected with the club, for their support whilst I was at the Brumbies. It’s been brilliant playing in front of the Canberra fans and that’s something I will miss.
“However, I’m looking forward to testing myself and to a new challenge in a new environment.”
