Yamashita answers Chiefs' call
Following the loss of All Black prop Nepo Laulala and promising flank Mitchell Karpik to season-ending knee injuries, depth has been restored with the announcement that Yamashita and Counties Manukau openside Sam Henwood will join the Chiefs squad as injury replacements for the Super Rugby season.
The 30-year-old Yamashita joins his Japan World Cup teammate and captain Michael Leitch in the Chiefs squad. The tighthead prop joined the Chiefs environment under the high performance partnership between the Chiefs and Kobe based rugby club, the Kebelco Steelers. The partnership includes players visiting the Chiefs each year to assist their rugby development by exposure to the demands of Super Rugby through the University of Waikato Chiefs Development Programme.
The 49-Test prop's scrummaging quickly impressed the Chiefs coaches prompting his inclusion in the squad as an injury replacement.
"Yama {Yamashita] is an experienced international prop and has quickly made an impression since his arrival," said Chiefs head coach Dave Rennie. "He earned the respect of his teammates immediately through his work ethic and his sense of humour."
Henwood was three months into his second season with Portuguese side Tecnico when he was beckoned home to join the Chiefs in the wake of a season-ending knee injury to Karpik. The 24-year-old Henwood had been sharing his time between his commitments to Mitre 10 Cup team Counties Manukau and Tecnico who compete in Portugal’s top national competition. Counties Manukau is well represented in the 2016 Chiefs squad with Henwood joining seven of his Steelers teammates in the team.
"Sam had an impressive National Provincial Championship and was unlucky not to be selected for a Super Rugby team. He's been playing in Portugal and is in good nick. Sam is ambitious, professional and excited to test himself at this level," said Rennie.
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