Chiefs confirm Samipeni Finau's departure as All Black heads to Japan

Samipeni Finau is leaving the Chiefs to join Japanese club Yokohama, the Super Rugby franchise confirmed, ending a five-season stint in which the All Black blindside flanker made 75 appearances and scored 11 tries.

Finau, 27, has been a fixture in All Blacks squads since his international debut in 2023, earning 12 caps across that period. His omission from recent national selection had been one of the few that could not be attributed to an overseas move or injury — until this announcement clarified his next destination.

Born in Tonga, Finau moved to New Zealand at 13 and began his rugby career as a fullback at St Peter’s Cambridge before transitioning to the loose forwards. He progressed through the Waikato and Chiefs Under-20 ranks before making his Chiefs debut against the Highlanders in 2021, going on to start 50 of his 75 games for the franchise.

“My time at the Chiefs will always be one that I will cherish,” Finau said in a statement. “It’s hard to say goodbye, but I’m really grateful for the people, the memories and the chance to represent this club. Wearing the jersey has been an honour, and I hope I have represented all this jersey stands for. Chiefs will always be home. Thank you.”

Finau departs a Chiefs loose forward unit that also featured fellow All Blacks Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson and Simon Parker during his time at the club — widely regarded as one of the strongest in Super Rugby.

At Yokohama, Finau joins a squad that has lost Springbok halfback Faf de Klerk for the coming campaign but retains Jesse Kriel, as well as familiar New Zealand faces Billy Harmon and Levi Aumua. The versatile forward, who has also featured in the second row and at number eight, adds significant international pedigree to the Japanese side.

Finau is the sixth player confirmed to be leaving the Chiefs ahead of the 2027 season, joining Xavier Roe, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Lalakai Foketi, Liam Coombes-Fabling and Reuben O’Neill in departing the franchise.