'It’s hard to say goodbye': All Blacks loose forward confirms Japan move

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Author: NZ Herald ,
Publish Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2026, 3:11pm

Samipeni Finau has signed with the Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan. Photo / Photosport

Chiefs loose forward Samipeni Finau is the latest All Black to confirm his departure from New Zealand after signing a deal with Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan.

The 27-year-old will make the move to Japan after the National Provincial Championship season with Waikato, where he will link-up with former All Blacks assistant Leon MacDonald.

That means Finau could still feature as part of the All Blacks extended 44-man squad for next month’s tour of South Africa.

Speculation over Finau’s future has intensified in recent weeks after he was visibly emotional following the Chiefs’ Super Rugby Pacific final loss to the Hurricanes and was overlooked for Dave Rennie’s first All Blacks squad for the Nations Championship.

“My time at the Chiefs will always be one that I will cherish,” Finau said.

“It’s hard to say goodbye, but I’m really grateful for the people, the memories and the chance to represent this club.

“Wearing the jersey has been an honour and I hoped I have represented all this jersey stands for. Chiefs will always be home.”

Born in Tonga, Finau went to school in New Zealand before making his Waikato debut in 2019 and stepping up to the Chiefs squad for Super Rugby Aotearoa in 2021.

After a breakout Super Rugby season with the Chiefs in 2023, Finau earned his maiden All Blacks call up, where he marked his test debut against the Wallabies in Dunedin with a try.

He last played for the All Blacks in their 41-24 win over Argentina in Cordoba.

Finau joins Hoskins Sotutu (Newcastle), Dalton Papali’i (Castres), Sevu Reece and Braydon Ennor (Perpignan), and Cullen Grace (Scarlets) in confirming their departures. David Havili has also confirmed a move to Japan, although his new club is yet to be announced, while Stephen Perofeta has been linked with Yokohama.

The Chiefs are losing more than 200 caps-worth of players with Xavier Roe, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Reuben O’Neill heading overseas.

The All Blacks play their first test of the year on Saturday, hosting France in Christchurch before facing Italy in Wellington and Ireland in Auckland.