Cory Hill has signed for fourth division Japanese club Secom Rugguts a mere month after withdrawing from Wales' Rugby World Cup training squad.
The 32 cap second-row had initially left top Japanese side Yokohama Canon Eagles to represent Wales for the first time since 2021, but with no suitable European offers forthcoming he pulled out of the squad to pursue an opportunity back in the Far East. That opportunity is with fourth division Secom Rugguts, who are based in the Japanese city of Sayama and are a home security company.
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The fact Hill turned his back on a chance to play at a second World Cup in favour of a lower division Japanese club says a lot about the differing financial clout of teams in Wales and Japan right now. Wales full-back Liam Williams will also play in Japan next season for top club Kobelco Steelers, while there has also been interest from the far East in Gareth Anscombe.
Some of the best players in the world will be strutting their stuff in Japan next season with the likes of Ardie Savea, Richie Mo'unga, Malcolm Marx, and Beauden Barrett contracted to clubs in that part of the world.
Hill, however, will be playing at a significantly lower level.
When his withdrawal from the Wales squad was confirmed, Hill expressed his disappointment at missing out on a second World Cup, while also insisting that he hadn't retired from the international game.
He said: “I’m gutted to be leaving the squad, but an opportunity has come up and I need to take it for my family. Wishing the boys all the best at the World Cup and I hope to be back in a Wales jersey in the future.”
