Dream XV: The International stars of the new Japanese League
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The new Japanese club competition kicks off this weekend under the new name, the Japan Rugby League One.
We take a look at the international stars that will light up the tournament in the top division.
The likes of Quade Cooper, Will Genia (both Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), and Franco Mostert (MIE Honda Heat) are all set to feature in the second division of the new tournament meaning they miss out in our XV.
1. Suliasi Tolu - Panasonic Wild Knights
The Japanese clubs have been reluctant to bring in foreign talents in the propping department, with Tongan Suliasi Tolu being one of the few imports. Craig Millar would have featured in the side had he not been capped for Japan.
2. Malcolm Marx - Kubota Spears
World Cup-winning hooker Malcolm Marx is the pick of the hookers in the competition. Marx scored eight tries in 10 games for the Spears last season and was part of one of the best packs of the competition.
Former Highlanders and Maori All Blacks captain Ash Dixon joins the Green Rockets for this season while former Sharks and Gloucester hooker Franco Marais turns out for Ntt Docomo Red Hurricanes.
3. Sam Talakai - Suntory Sungoliath
Suntory Sungoliath is one of the few Japanese clubs that have invested in the propping department, signing Talakai from the Melbourne Rebels in 2018.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu - Toyota Verblitz
Unlike the front row, the second row is brimming with talents from abroad. All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu is a new addition to the League signing from the Blues, while Suntory has the likes of Tom Savage and Harry Hockings on their payroll.
Former Scarlets' lock David Bulbring plies his trade at Kubota Spears along with Ruan Botha. Former Stormers lock JD Schikerling is set to lockdown in the second row alongside Tuipulotu after he was on the cusp of a Springbok call-up.
5. George Kruis - Panasonic Wild Knights
The Welsh duo of Jake Ball (Green Rockets) and Cory Hill (Canon Eagles) are set to make their debuts in the competition while former Highlander Tom Franklin captains Kobelco Kobe Steelers. However, it is difficult to look past the former England and Lions lock George Kruis to partner Tuipulotu.
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit - Toyota Verblitz
Another new addition to the League, Pieter-Steph du Toit, is back to full fitness for his new side after another lengthy injury layoff.
The 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year's quality is undeniable and will look to hit the ground running for Steve Hansen's side.
He beats the likes of Blair Cowan (Black Rams), Lachlan Boshier (Shining Arcs), Tom Sanders (Sungoliath), and Whetu Douglas (Green Rockets) to a place in the side.
7. Kwagga Smith - Shizuoka Blue Revs
Even with the departure of Michael Hooper after last season, there is no shortage of openside flankers to choose from. Former All Black Matt Todd (Brave Lupus) misses out to Smith alongside former Wallaby Liam Gill (Shining Arcs).
Smith was a standout for his club last season in the no.8 jersey, but with the signing of Wallaby Isi Naisarani from the Rebels, he is likely to switch to his more favoured position on the side of the scrum. The 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout season with the Springboks in 2021 and will be out to continue that form.
8. Sean McMahon - Suntory Sungoliath
McMahon returns to Sungoliath, having made his mark on the test arena for the Wallabies.
The abrasive back rower claims a spot in our team ahead of Isi Naisarani and Whetu Douglas.
9. Greig Laidlaw - Shining Arcs
Like with the props, there are limited choices in the scrumhalf department, but in former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw, the Shining Arcs have a real gem.
Laidlaw enters another season in Japan, having joined the Arcs from Clermont.
10. Aaron Cruden - Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Aaron Cruden tops an impressive list of international flyhalves plying their trade in Japan. The 50-test cap All Blacks cracks our team ahead of fellow former All Black Tom Taylor (Brave Lupus) and Springbok pivot Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes). Former Hurricanes flyhalves Fletcher Smith (Green Rockets) and Otere Black (Shinings Arcs) have joined the League while former Wallaby Bernard Foley enters another season with Kubota Spears.
11. Marika Koroibete - Panasonic Wild Knights
Last season's champions claimed a massive coup in Marika Koroibete, who has been signed to fill the boots of Japan superstar Kenki Fukuoka who has officially retired.
Koroibete joins his new side off the back of a superb run of form with the Wallabies.
Vince Aso could feature on the wing or centres, too, having joined the side from the Hurricanes.
12. Hadleigh Parkes - Panasonic Wild Knights
The number 12 jersey is another position with no lack of quality options. Former Wales star Hadleigh Parkes comes in ahead of former All Blacks' midfielders Ryan Crotty (Kubota Spears) and Seta Tamanivalu (Brave Lupus).
Joe Tomane (Black Rams) is another option in the midfield, having joined the Rams from Leinster back in 2020.
13. Samu Kerevi - Sungoliath
Kerevi enters his second season with Suntory after scoring eight tries and assisting a further five in just eight appearances last season. The World Rugby Player of the Year Nominee in 2020 beats Springbok utility back Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) to a spot in our XV.
14. Israel Folau - Shining Arcs
Folau returns to rugby union after a stint in France with the Catalans Dragons. After Rugby Australia terminated his contract for his comments on social media, Folau's return won't be overly welcomed one. Still, his ability on the pitch sees him feature in our XV.
He edges Kobe Steelers' Richard Buckman and Suntory's try-scoring machine Tevita Li to a place in the side.
15. Damian McKenzie - Suntory Sungoliath
willie le roux - toyota verblitz, harry mallinder - black rams
Suntory have made another splash in the recruitment department, picking up All Blacks star Damian McKenzie having signed Beauden Barrett for the 2021 season.
McKenzie is listed as a utility back on the Suntory website, which indicates that we may see him feature at flyhalf and fullback for the side that finished runners-up last season.
McKenzie edges Springbok fullback, Willie Le Roux to a place in the side, and Blacks Rams' back Harry Mallinder, who joined the side from Northampton Saints.