Japan prop Hiroshi Yamashita will join the Chiefs for the upcoming Super Rugby season, his Top League club, Kobe Kobelco Steelers, announced Thursday.
The 30-year-old Yamashita, who has played 49 times for the Brave Blossoms and was a member of the team at last year's Rugby World Cup in England, will be with the Chiefs from Feb. 10. He will join Kobe after the Super Rugby season ends in August.
The move will make him a teammate of Japan captain Michael Leitch.
"Because this is a new challenge for me, I will give my all, my very best, and show what I'm capable of," Yamashita said.