In a seismic shake-up for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok is set to charge into the Japanese club, filling the boots of the retired Wallabies legend Quade Cooper. The 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One season is poised for a dramatic turn as the Liners, hungry for top-tier status, unveil a roster bulging with international talent.
With ambitions soaring, the Liners didn’t just stop at Libbok. They’ve roped in New Zealand's once-capped All Black, Peter Umaga-Jensen, and the well-traveled South African centre, Burger Odendaal. Adding more beef to their pack, the Liners have also snagged South African lock Ryno Pieterse from French rugby, alongside Kiran McDonald from Newcastle Falcons. The squad is rounded off with Japanese prop Shohei Hirano and scrum-half Keita Fujiwara, aiming to blend international flair with local talent.
Stormers' boss John Dobson, confirming Libbok's departure, expressed mixed emotions.
"We’ve had a fantastic journey with him. Manie got an eye-watering offer from Japan, and it’s a life-changing amount of money. It’ll change his whole family’s life,"
Dobson revealed, emphasizing the monumental impact of the move on Libbok’s life. Despite the loss, Dobson shared that the Stormers are well-stocked in the fly-half department and won't seek an immediate replacement.
Libbok himself is buzzing about his new challenge.
"I’m really excited to be joining the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. It’s a great opportunity for me to contribute to the team’s success and help get the club back into the top division of Japanese rugby,"
he said. Libbok also highlighted his eagerness to mentor younger players and immerse himself in the Kintetsu community.
This strategic overhaul by the Liners could very well redefine their fortunes in the upcoming season. With the injection of proven international talent and seasoned players, the club is making a clear statement of intent: they're not just participating—they're playing to win.
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In a seismic shake-up for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, Springboks fly-half Manie Libbok is set to charge into the Japanese club, filling the boots of the retired Wallabies legend Quade Cooper. The 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One season is poised for a dramatic turn as the Liners, hungry for top-tier status, unveil a roster bulging with international talent.
With ambitions soaring, the Liners didn’t just stop at Libbok. They’ve roped in New Zealand's once-capped All Black, Peter Umaga-Jensen, and the well-traveled South African centre, Burger Odendaal. Adding more beef to their pack, the Liners have also snagged South African lock Ryno Pieterse from French rugby, alongside Kiran McDonald from Newcastle Falcons. The squad is rounded off with Japanese prop Shohei Hirano and scrum-half Keita Fujiwara, aiming to blend international flair with local talent.
Stormers' boss John Dobson, confirming Libbok's departure, expressed mixed emotions.
"We’ve had a fantastic journey with him. Manie got an eye-watering offer from Japan, and it’s a life-changing amount of money. It’ll change his whole family’s life,"
Dobson revealed, emphasizing the monumental impact of the move on Libbok’s life. Despite the loss, Dobson shared that the Stormers are well-stocked in the fly-half department and won't seek an immediate replacement.Libbok himself is buzzing about his new challenge.
"I’m really excited to be joining the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. It’s a great opportunity for me to contribute to the team’s success and help get the club back into the top division of Japanese rugby,"
he said. Libbok also highlighted his eagerness to mentor younger players and immerse himself in the Kintetsu community.This strategic overhaul by the Liners could very well redefine their fortunes in the upcoming season. With the injection of proven international talent and seasoned players, the club is making a clear statement of intent: they're not just participating—they're playing to win.