US Eagles flanker Andrew Durutalo will play for new Japanese franchise the Sunwolves in the upcoming Super Rugby competition. The move has been rumored for some time and is expected to be announced in the coming days. With growing concern about the state of the franchise, at the moment without a head coach, the news will be very welcome for all parties concerned.

One who might not be as excited is USA 7s head coach Mike Friday, who will be without the services of one of his most experienced forwards for the HSBC World Sevens series, and presumably the Olympics. Durutalo’s excellent form on the circuit prompted him to be called into the senior men’s XVs squad by Mike Tolkin, and he quickly established himself as the first choice openside flanker for the World Cup.

The back row star has previous links to Japan. American-born but of Fijian stock, Durutalo attended school in Suva and captained Fiji u19 before moving abroad to study business administration at Hakuoh University. After qualifying on residency, he was being eyed for senior Japan honours but was never capped before moving to the United States. He made his Eagles 7s debut in 2011 and his test bow came in 2012 against Canada.