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Warner Dearns initially did not want to move to Japan a decade ago when his father secured a coaching job with NEC Green Rockets. Now 24, the towering second row will co-captain Japan against England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Adapting to a New Life in Japan
Relocating from New Zealand’s North Island to a satellite city outside Tokyo proved challenging for a 14-year-old Dearns, who initially wanted to stay behind with his grandparents. His mother, former New Zealand netballer Tanya, also gave up her coaching career to help the family settle. Adapting to the new culture and overcoming the language barrier took the first couple of years, with Dearns standing out at high school as the only student with blond curly hair.
His physical stature also drew attention, as he stood 6ft 8in and weighed over 19 stone as a teenager. Although more focused on basketball in New Zealand, Kashiwa Senior High School shaped him into a formidable rugby prospect. School coaches incorporated gymnastics into his training to boost his pitch agility, while gym sessions alongside former England full-back Alex Goode at his father’s club further accelerated his development.
Rapid Rise and Super Rugby Success
Qualifying through residency, Dearns made his international debut for Japan in November 2021 at just 19 years old. He went on to feature in all four of his adopted country’s matches at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Over the past year, he played for the Hurricanes in New Zealand on a season-long sabbatical, helping the Wellington team secure their first Super Rugby title in a decade alongside All Blacks stars like Jordie Barrett and Cam Roigard.
The stint in New Zealand sparked informal speculation about whether Dearns might wait out a three-year international stand-down period to switch his allegiance to the All Blacks. Speaking to BBC Sport, Dearns explained that people approached him about the possibility, but he turned it down, stating it was never an option for him.
Embracing Japan and Facing England
Japan provided the platform for his rugby career, and the country is now firmly his home. He speaks the language fluently, his son was born there, and he was moved to tears listening to Japan’s national anthem at the previous World Cup. Having previously assisted tries against England at Twickenham in 2022 and in Tokyo in 2024—both resulting in heavy defeats for Japan—Dearns prepares for another tough physical challenge.
Dearns noted that the upcoming fixture will be a set-piece battle against a physical English side excelling in scrums and line-outs. A victory on Saturday would mark the biggest milestone yet in an extraordinary journey for Japan’s co-captain.
