Overview
- The Chiefs confirmed that Samipeni Finau has signed with Japan’s Yokohama Canon Eagles, formally ending his time with the club and New Zealand Rugby.
- Finau’s move explains his recent unexplained omission from All Blacks squads because players contracted overseas are generally ineligible for selection under current policy.
- The 27-year-old blindside flanker made 75 appearances for the Chiefs, 33 for Waikato and 12 Tests for New Zealand after debuting for the Chiefs in 2021.
- The club announced several departures ahead of the 2027 season, including Xavier Roe, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Reuben O’Neill, which increases pressure on the Chiefs’ loose-forward depth chart.
- Yokohama will integrate Finau into a squad that still includes internationals such as Jesse Kriel, Billy Harmon and Levi Aumua and reflects a wider Rugby League One trend of recruiting established New Zealand and South African forwards.