Only one week after falling agonisingly in need of a Bunnings NPC title in 2025 with Otago, Highlanders midfielder Thomas Umaga-Jensen has introduced he’ll make the transfer from the deep south to Japan.
Umaga-Jensen, who turns 28 in December, will play for Japan aspect Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
The previous U20 New Zealand consultant performed 42 video games for the Highlanders since making his debut in 2018, and has made 30 appearances for Otago and 23 for Wellington.
The skilled midfielder had a formidable marketing campaign for Otago, who fell simply quick final weekend in opposition to Canterbury at Apollo Venture Stadium. Umaga-Jensen scored six tries in his profession for the Highlanders, and had solidified himself as a confirmed Super Rugby Pacific midfielder.
His brother, Peter, additionally performs in Japan, and they are going to be taking part in in opposition to one another in spherical one later this yr.
After final weekend’s last, Umaga-Jensen informed the Otago Every day Every day Instances how a lot this crew means to him, and the way his purpose was to depart the organisation in a greater place.
“I didn’t assume they had been going to broadcast it on dwell tv as I used to be going to attend for later,” he mentioned final week.
“However that’s my subsequent journey, my subsequent alternative.
“It’s bittersweet. I really like this crew. I really like the place we’ve come from and what we’ve been in a position to obtain during the last 5 or 6 years, however that’s all a part of it. You simply need to depart the jersey and the organisation in a greater place.”
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi completed 1st in Japan Rugby League One (Div 2) final season, with 11 wins from 14 video games, and now have added Noah Lolesio and Christian Lealifano to their backline shares for 2026 and past.
