Rugby: Tanaka linking with Highlanders

Fumiaki Tanaka.
Fumiaki Tanaka.
Highlander halfback Fumiaki Tanaka is winging his way to Melbourne to link with the franchise after winning another Japanese title.

Tanaka (30) will join the Highlanders for the final game of their pre-season against the Rebels in Melbourne on Thursday.

He was part of a Panasonic Wild Knights side which beat Yamaha 30-12 in the Japan Top league final on Sunday night.

The win was the latest for Panasonic, which has been a powerhouse in Japanese club rugby for many years.

It is coached by former Crusaders and Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, who is assisted by former Queensland and Otago coach Phil Mooney.

Whether Tanaka plays any part in Thursday's game is questionable as he will still be recovering from the flight and a tough past couple of weeks on the field for Panasonic.

The Highlanders' other halfback in its squad is All Black Aaron Smith, who came back to training only last week and is not in Australia.

The Highlanders side has Southlander Scott Eade and Otago's Josh Renton as its halfbacks in Australia.

With Smith likely to miss some game time this season as his workload is managed in World Cup year, one of these players may get some playing time this season.

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