Wallaby flyhalf to join Japanese club after World Cup

TRANSFER NEWS: Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley will join Japanese Top League side Kubota Spears after the World Cup.

Foley, who is already in Japan for rugby’s global showpiece later this month, will link up with the Chiba-based Spears in time for the 2019 season, which kicks off in January.

It will be his second stint playing in Japan having previously featured for the Ricoh Black Rams from 2015-2016.

“I appreciate that I was given an opportunity to play in Japan again,” said Foley, who has played 69 Tests since his debut in 2013.

The Spears have never won Japan’s premier rugby competition and finished seventh last season.

Foley,30, is the latest big name to announce he is staying in Japan after the World Cup.

Compatriots Will Genia, Quade Cooper and David Pocock will also feature in Japan’s domestic competitions next season, along with New Zealand captain Kieran Read and South African No.8 Duane Vermeulen.

Foley is part of Michael Cheika’s World Cup squad who are hoping to win Australia’s third title and first since 1999.

They begin their campaign against Fiji on September 21.