Japan lock open to ABs switch
Hawke’s Bay-raised lock Warner Dearns could play for Japan at the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and then return to New Zealand to chase an All Blacks jersey, as World Rugby’s eligibility change continues to throw up new possibilities for all players.
Dearns, who has just turned 20 and is 2.02m and 124kg, is currently playing in Japan Rugby League One under Todd Blackadder at Toshiba Brave Lupus, who have just qualified for the semifinals of the fastimproving competition.
He was capped by Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph last year after initially coming into the Japan squad as a development player, and although a long career for his ‘second home’ clearly beckons, he says he would be open to overtures from New Zealand Rugby and switch his test allegiance back to the All Blacks.
‘‘From since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to play Super Rugby,’’ Dearns said from Japan. ‘‘Obviously, as a young boy, growing up in New Zealand you always want to put on that black jersey.
‘‘Coming over here, and having spent lots of time in high school here and actually playing a test now for Japan, I feel like it’s like a second home at the moment.
‘‘At the moment my goal is to play in the next World Cup, this France World Cup for Japan, but if opportunity arose thatwas intriguing I’d definitely have a look at it, and see what my options were.’’
Dearns’ mother is former Silver Ferns player Tanya, while father Grant is a strength and conditioning coach whose work took him from the Magpies in the NPC to the Japanese competition.
Dearns spent two years in high school in New Zealand – one year at Napier Boys’ and one year at Scots College in Wellington – before the familymoved to Japan.
He completed his schooling in Japan and had offers to return to New Zealand, but a conversation with Blackadder convinced him that his development would be best served in Japan.
‘‘Quite early on in 2020, before Covid hit, I had a catch-up with Todd Blackadder. I got to meet him and got to talk to him and pick his brains about different things,’’ Dearns said.
‘‘It was really interesting talking to him, and I thought, ‘This is a guy that I want to learn off’. Obviously, he had lots of experience coaching, and lots of experience playing as well.
‘‘It just so happened that Michael Leitch and Matt Todd were playing for the team he was coaching.
‘‘So, when I had the opportunity to come to Toshiba, I jumped at it, because of the experience and all that I could learn off these sorts of guys.
‘‘Looking at options in New Zealand, it would have been tough going in and starting from zero, going to an academy or something like that, where there’s lots of talent aswell.
‘‘So, being over here and having that opportunity, I thought that was probably the best for me.’’
World Rugby’s eligibility change means that players can switch test sides once in their career, if they observe a 36-month stand-down period, as well as obviously demonstrating strong links to the country they are moving to.
Locks of Dearns’ stature don’t grow on trees, and his appeal to NZ Rugby may grow if he stands out for Japan in France next year.
Temperamentally, he is said to share many of Blackadder’s traits – intelligent and hard-working but humble – and the All Blacksmay even come face to face with him should they play Japan before their three-test tour of Europe in November.
‘‘There’s a couple of games soon that I’d like to be part of as well,’’ said Dearns, whose favourite player is Brodie Retallick. ‘‘Uruguay and France, I’d love to be part of those games [for Japan in the July test window].
‘‘But looking ahead it would be awesome to be on the field against the All Blacks. It would be a huge opportunity.’’