Rugby
Japan's unlikely leader who turned down the All Blacks
Warner Dearns initially resisted relocating to Japan a decade ago when his father Grant accepted a coaching role with the NEC Green Rockets. Despite an initial culture shock and standing out at 6ft 8in, the towering forward developed rapidly at Kashiwa Senior High School and debuted for Japan in November 2021 before representing his adopted nation at the 2023 World Cup.
After helping the Hurricanes secure a Super Rugby title earlier this year, Dearns opted against switching his international allegiance to the All Blacks and is now set to co-captain Japan in their upcoming fixture against England.
Up nextRugby· 2h ago