Will Genia and Quade Cooper sign on to help a Japanese club return to the Top League

Will Genia and Quade Cooper sign on to help a Japanese club return to the Top League

Melbourne Rebels duo Will Genia and Quade Cooper are off to Japan after the Rugby World Cup with Japanese club Kintetsu Liners confirming the signing of the pair.

The second division Japanese club is coached by former Reds' head coach Nick Stiles in the Challenge League.



The long term friends led the Reds to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2011 and their combination was re-ignited with the Rebels this year in Super Rugby as they came close to make the Super Rugby playoffs.


The Rebels already have replacements for the pair with Fijian International Frank Lomani signing for the Super Rugby side while Wallaby playmaker Matt To'omua is likely to fill the void left by Cooper after signing with the Rebels through 2020.

Genia commented on the announcement saying that he was looking forward to linking up with the team.


"I am very much looking forward to joining Kintetsu Liners," he said.

"I want to play right away as part of a team with a long history and tradition. I am looking forward to meeting Japanese people and getting in touch with Japanese culture.

"My goal is to do my best for the club and to help Kintetsu Liners become the best rugby team in Japan through my own play. It is a great honor to be able to contribute to this team."

Cooper said he wanted to try and help the team return to the Japanese Top League once more.

"I am very much looking forward to joining the historic team, Kintetsu Liners," he said.

I am confident that I can contribute at Kintetsu Liners through my career.

"I will work hard to develop my team and teammates, and I will firmly incorporate them to achieve the goal of returning to the top league, which is the club goal.

"In addition, I will do my best to be able to play an active part with the whole team on the stage of the top league.

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