Brumbies sign Japanese back

Japanese international Harumichi Tatekawa will join the Brumbies for the 2014 Super Rugby season.

Tatekawa, who can play in the No 10 or 12 jersey, will link up with the Canberra side from the Kubota Spears once their Top League campaign is concluded.

Kubota Spears coach and former Wallaby Toutai Kefu described Tatekawa (capped 20 times for the national side) as 'the best Japanese player I've seen'.

‘How that translates to Super Rugby is a bit unknown,' Kefu told the Canberra Times. 'I think he can do it, he's a talented kid. Skill-wise he can do everything and he's a big, tough boy.’

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham also praised Tatekawa, saying that his playmaking ability is an important addition to the team.

‘Another player in that 10-12 position is great for us, it allows depth and we're quite lucky to have Haru,’ said Larkham.

‘The standard of footy in Japan is a little bit less than Super Rugby, but I think individual players have the skills and when you put them in a good system you'll see improvement.’

Tatekawa will join Fumiaki Tanaka (Highlanders) and Shota Horie (Melbourne Rebels) as the third Japanese player competing in Super Rugby.

Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images