Rugby: Japan number eight Himeno to join Highlanders

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2019 - Quarter Final - Japan v South Africa - Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo, Japan - October 20, 2019 Japan's Kazuki Himeno looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan number eight Kazuki Himeno will play for the Otago Highlanders in next year's Super Rugby competition, his Japanese club Toyota Verblitz said on Monday.

Himeno, who was a key player in Japan's back row during their run to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup last year, will link up with the Dunedin-based Highlanders ahead of the 2021 season that begins in January.