Japan's new Super Rugby side, the Sunwolves, took a hit Saturday with the news that Ayumu Goromaru is set to turn his back on the team and play for the Reds instead.
An informed source told Kyodo News that the Brave Blossoms fullback, one of the stars of Rugby World Cup 2015, will join Japan flanker Hendrik Tui in Queensland when the Super Rugby season gets underway in February 2016.
With Japan captain Michael Leitch having already opted to play for the Chiefs in New Zealand rather than the Sunwolves, Japanese officials were keen to get Goromaru onboard in the hope it would persuade other players to sign up with the new team.