Taranaki Rugby have extended their high-performance partnership with Japan Rugby Top League club Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks for a further 12 months.

The exclusive Japanese relationship kicked off in July 2023 and involves exchanges between the two organisations.

leading Japanese The Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks team is the rugby team of architectural, civil engineering and general contracting firm Shimizu. Shimizu was founded in 1804 and has constructed several notable buildings across Japan and Asia.

In the recently completed 2023/2024 Japan Rugby Top League season the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks finished with a 9-win 3-loss record. The club finished second in Division 3 and gained promotion to Division 2 for the 2024/2025 campaign.

Representatives of the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks management team and members of their squad will be fully immersing themselves in the early part of the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls 2024 Bunnings Warehouse NPC campaign.

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks Team Director Takahiro Niki was delighted to extend the relationship.

“It is an honour to work with the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls, and we hope to learn as much of their mentality as possible. The Blue Sharks have been promoted, and we believe that the upcoming season is just the start. This season, coaches and three players will be taking part in a short-term training programme in Taranaki. We hope to have a good 'inspiration' for both coaches and players."

TRFU Chief Executive Mike Sandle says extending this relationship fits well with Taranaki Rugby’s strategy of achieving excellence on and off the field and growing international relationships.

“We are rapt to be welcoming a tour party from the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks back to Taranaki. Both organisations have experienced on field success over the last year, and we look forward to continuing to support the growth of the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks programme as they step up to Japan Rugby Top League Division 2.”

Article added: Friday 02 August 2024