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Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Marino Mikaele-Tu’u makes a break against Moana Pasifika in March.
New Zealand has lost another quality footballer to Japan in the prime years of his career.
Highlanders and Hawke’s Bay loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu’u will join the Mitsubishi DynaBoars next year, with the Highlanders confirming the news on Thursday evening.
The 25-year-old Mikaele-Tu’u had a standout season for the Highlanders in 2022, earning selection for the All Blacks XV tour of Ireland and the UK.
He looked primed for a big season this year but picked up a rib injury in the opening minutes of the campaign and has struggled for form and game time since then.
Still, his departure will be a loss for the Highlanders and New Zealand rugby, which will also be farewelling Leicester Fainga’anuku (France), Alex Nankivell (Ireland) and Richie Mo’unga (Japan), among others.
“Incredibly grateful to have spent the past six years with the Highlanders,” Mikaele-Tu’u said in a statement. “Never thought I’d call Dunedin home coming down as a 20-year-old and now me and my little family are leaving with lifelong friends.
“Thank you to the Highlanders family, fans and supporters that have been involved in my journey, very very blessed.”
The DynaBoars are the Highlanders’ ‘sister club’ in Japan, and are coached by formers Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney.
Mikaele-Tu’u is also following in the footsteps of former Highlanders Jackson Hemopo, who joined the DynaBoars after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The Highlanders are set for a significant rebuild in 2024, with Shannon Frizell and Aaron Smith already confirmed departures.
Rising loose forwards Oliver Haig (Otago) and Hayden Michaels (Southland) have already been contracted by the Highlanders, and Mikaele-Tu’u’s exit could open up another gap in the squad.
New Zealand under-20s flanker Will Stodart (Otago) is highly rated and could join the wave of young players coming through.
Midfielder Fetuli Paea is expected to head to Italy next season, and further departures are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Mikaele-Tu’u has made 47 appearances for the Highlanders since joining in 2018, and he has been named on the bench against the Blues for the round 15 clash at Eden Park on Friday.
Mikaele-Tu’u will play for Hawke’s Bay in the upcoming NPC campaign before leaving for Japan.
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