Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks Extend Partnership with Taranaki Rugby
rugbyasia247
Posted On July 24, 2025
Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks have announced they have extended a partnership with New Zealand club Taranaki Bulls for a third year. A number of Japanese clubs have partnered with NZ-based clubs, and the JRFU and the NZRU have also signed MoUs in the past.
Photo Credit: Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks Team Director Takahiro Niki (L) and Taranaki Rugby CEO Jimmy Fastier (R) in front of the new East Stand at Stadium Taranaki.
The exclusive JRLO-NZ club relationship launched in July 2023 and has involved several exchanges of coaches and management staff.
Koichi Takigawa, GM of the Japanese club, said, “I am very pleased to have signed a partnership agreement with the Taranaki Bulls for this season. I feel that the team has grown steadily through our partnership over the past two seasons.
By continuing to exchange personnel through coaching training and other means, we will absorb the world’s most cutting-edge rugby and build a stronger relationship by sharing information more than ever before, which will lead to the further strengthening and development of both teams.”
Yarrows Taranaki Bulls reported that Head Coach Neil Barnes recently travelled to Tokyo to connect with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks coaching staff and run a coaching clinic with their up-and-coming Academy athletes. A contingent of Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks coaching and management staff had also travelled to Taranaki in July 2025 as part of the agreement.
The Japanese group will “fully immerse themselves in the first three weeks of the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls 2025 Bunnings NPC campaign”, said Taranaki.
Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Fastier said of extending the relationship with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, “Taranaki Rugby and the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks have a shared love of rugby and both organisations are always striving for excellence on and off the field.”
He added, “The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls management team have built up strong connections with Shimizu’s coaching group, and we look forward to building on these relationships in the coming weeks.”
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