Super Rugby
Tanaka to join Highlanders
ESPN Staff
October 27, 2012
Japan scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka weaves his way through Hong Kong's defence, Hong Kong v Japan, Asian Five Nations, Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong, China, May 2, 2009
Japan scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka has appeared 31 times for the Brave Blossoms © Getty Images
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Japan scrum-half Fumiaki Tanaka is set to make history by becoming the first Japanese player to appear in Super Rugby after signing with the Otago Highlanders for the 2013 season.

Tanaka currently plays for the Panasconic Wild Knights and appeared three times for the Brave Blossoms at the 2011 World Cup. He is the club's third signing in recent days after New Zealand internationals Brad Thorn and Ma'a Nonu also joined.

"I feel so honoured to be becoming Japan's first Super Rugby player," Takana said on the Wild Knights official website. "I hope to improve at the higher levels of rugby and bring those skills back to Panasonic. I want to play as many games as possible and show the world what Japanese rugby players are capable of. I want to believe there's nothing I can't accomplish."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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