[6] He moved back to New Zealand after being named in the Hamilton-based Chiefs wider training squad for 2013,[7] but was denied the chance to play after breaking an arm.

[8] He made his test match debut for Japan in 2008 against the USA in Nagoya aged 20, receiving a yellow card in that game for a dangerous tackle.

[9] He impressed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and was praised as one of Japan's best forwards,[10] winning 'man of the match' in the loss to Tonga,[11] where he scored a try and made a try-saving tackle on Siale Piutau.

He was appointed Japan captain by coach Eddie Jones in April 2014, becoming the second New Zealand-born player to lead the Brave Blossoms after Andrew McCormick in the 1990s.

"[13] Jones returned the compliment, praising him as a "good player and a great man"[14] He captained the Japan national team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, famously defeating South Africa in one of the biggest upsets ever.

However, on July 22 a high tackle on So'otala Fa'aso'o against Samoa in Sapporo saw him receive a red card from referee Mathieu Raynal.