Japan Rugby Top League will welcome Wallabies Captain, Michael Hooper, to Toyota Verblitz for next season.
Hooper was linked with a move to the Gallagher Premiership after his wages were slashed to the Coronavirus.
The 28-year-old is in the middle of of a three-year contract worth £572,000 per season, but will activate his release as part of the recent emergency pay deal.
He will not play for the Waratahs next year but will be available for Test duties as the Top League season is set to run in parallel with Super Rugby, a source told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The flanker will be happy about that as he’s currently stuck on 99 caps since making his debut in 2012.
Considered one of the world’s best flankers, Hooper hit international headlines as he mastered the field alongside revered teammate David Pocock on the Rugby World Cup stage in 2015.
RANKED | The 10 highest paid people in rugby union, 2020
Keep reading to see the top 10 highest-paid people in rugby union, ranked in ascending order of earnings.
9=. ANDY FARRELL £600k (Ireland)
The first of two Farrell’s on this list, Andy received a significant pay boost when he took over from Joe Schmidt following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
9=. DAN BIGGAR £600k (Northampton Saints)
The Welsh pivot has made the most of his big-money move from Ospreys to Northampton Saints, where he has shone consistently since joining in 2018.
8. STEVE LUATUA £650k (Bristol Bears)
Didn’t make any friends within the All Blacks hierarchy when he decided to cash in on his extreme rugby talent, signing for Bristol in 2017. Has since signed a two-year contract extension. The All Blacks aren’t allowed by the New Zealand Rugby Union to pick exiles.
