The Hurricanes are excited to announce a three-year partnership with leading Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams.
A long-time supporter and partner of the Hurricanes, Ricoh have extended that partnership in an agreement that is set to benefit both clubs.
The partnership, which has recently commenced, will see players, coaches and high performance staff from Ricoh Black Rams spend time in the Hurricanes environment throughout the term, including while the Investec Super Rugby tournament is being played.
On certain occasions, high performance staff from the Hurricanes will also travel to Tokyo to work with the Black Rams as they prepare and play in the Japan Top League.
The partnership has already been put into practice this week with the Hurricanes training at Ricoh as they prepare to face the Sunwolves in Good Friday's Super Rugby match at Chichibunomiya Stadium.
Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee, who is in Japan, believed the partnership was an exciting step forward for the two clubs.
"We have had a strong commercial partnership with Ricoh New Zealand and we are delighted to formalise this agreement which will benefit the Hurricanes and the Ricoh Black Rams in Japan," he said.
"It's a massive year ahead for rugby in Japan with the Rugby World Cup and we look forward to supporting the Black Rams and growing our presence here."
As well as the Hurricanes playing the Sunwolves, the Hurricanes Hunters will face Japan A in the return leg of their home and away fixtures on Saturday.
The Hunters, who defeated Japan A in Porirua in March, have named Black Rams midfielder Aki Makita in their squad after he spent several weeks training in Wellington with the Hurricanes.
-Hurricanes Rugby