Super Rugby - Western Force
Richard Brown leaving Western Force for Japan
ESPN Staff
July 12, 2013
Force No.8 Richard Brown looks for support, Waratahs v Force, Super Rugby, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia, May 7, 2011
Richard Brown won 23 Test caps while playing for Western Force © Getty Images
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Foundation Western Force back-rower Richard Brown is the latest Australian to announce he will continue his career in Japan, taking up a two-year contract with Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League after eight seasons with the Perth-based Super Rugby franchise during which he won 23 caps for the Wallabies. Brown, 28, will play his 89th and final game for the Force when they host the Brumbies on Saturday night.

"I think I was at risk of becoming stale and that wouldn't have been good for either me or the club," Brown said of his decision. "It was a very hard decision to step away from the Force and experience something new. At this point of my life, I just didn't want to run the risk of being here eight years and not experiencing something different."

Brown will join former Western Force teammates Cameron Shepherd and Haig Sare - now a coach at the Suzuka-based Honda club - as well as ex-New South Wales Waratahs centre Sam Harris.

Brown's departure will leave captain Matt Hodgson and prop Pek Cowan as the sole remaining foundation players at the club from its inaugural season in 2006.

Waratahs utility back Berrick Barnes and Melbourne Rebels winger Cooper Vuna are among those to leave Australian rugby at the end of this Super Rugby season to play in Japan.

Matt Dunning and Duncan McRae preview Super Rugby round 20
© ESPN Australia / New Zealand

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