Taranaki Rugby have extended their High-Performance Partnership with Japan League One club the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks for a fourth consecutive year.
The exclusive Japanese relationship kicked off in July 2023 and continues to involve exchanges of coaches, management and players between the two organisations.
The Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks are the rugby team of leading architectural, civil engineering and general contracting firm Shimizu. Founded in 1804, Shimizu has constructed several notable buildings across Japan and Asia.
In the recent 2025-2026 Japan League One season, the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks enjoyed a strong campaign, recording 10 wins from 14 matches to finish second in Division 2 before pushing the Urayasu D-Rocks close in the Division 1 promotion matches.
This was the best result achieved in the club’s history, coming within one step of earning promotion to Division 1.
A touring party of players, coaches and an interpreter will join the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls in July and August, fully immersing themselves in the NPC environment across the opening weeks of the 2026 campaign.
Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks Team Director Takahiro Niki on the partnership:
“It is a tremendous honour to continue working alongside a team with such a rich history and tradition in New Zealand. This partnership has developed into a relationship built on mutual trust and respect. We look forward to continuing to learn from one another. Although we have achieved the best season in our club’s history, we have no intention of being satisfied with where we are. We are committed to making the most of the world-class experience gained through this partnership as we continue to grow as a team and pursue our ultimate goal of earning promotion to Division 1.”
Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Fastier on the relationship extension:
"It's a real privilege to be celebrating four years of partnership with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks. We're excited to again welcome the Blue Sharks touring group into the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls environment to grow their rugby and to soak up everything that makes our region special. This partnership continues to mean a great deal to Taranaki Rugby, and both parties are ambitious organisations on and off the rugby field. Taranaki Rugby was extremely proud to watch the Blue Sharks go so close to Division 1 promotion this past Japan League One season, a real testament to the progress they continue to make with their programme.”
