Western Force add All Black Experience
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The Western Force has today announced the signing of 2011 World Cup-winning All Black Richard Kahui to their Super Rugby AU squad.
Kahui, who plays predominantly as an outside-centre, joins the club following a seven-year stay with Japanese Top League outfit Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Having burst onto the New Zealand rugby scene after claiming the Duane Monkley Medal and being named the Air New Zealand Cup Player of the Year in 2006 with Waikato, Kahui later made his Super Rugby debut for the Highlanders that year.
Kahui then made the move to the North Island signing with the Chiefs in 2007, where he was a pivotal member of the 2012 Championship-winning side.
It was with the Chiefs where Kahui rose to prominence, with his inspired performances earning him an All Blacks cap in 2008, in which he scored the opening try in a memorable 44-12 win over England in Christchurch.
Renowned for his versatility, Kahui went on to play 17 tests for the All Blacks between 2007-2011, which included the successful 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. Kahui played a crucial role in claiming the Webb Ellis Cup on home soil scoring four tries as a winger along the way.
In 2013 Kahui made the move to Japan, where he has made 63 appearances in the Top League, forging a reputation as one of the competition’s star players, while also captaining the Tokyo-based side since the 2017-18 season.
"I want to come in and perform on the field," he said.
"I want to be the guy we can turn to play 80 minutes and that can help direct a side to winning Super Rugby Australia."
