Toyota Verblitz extends Stag flanker's stay
It’s understood former All Black coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster have liked what they have seen from Blair Ryall during his time at the Toyota Verblitz club in Japan.
He wasn’t able to convince a Super Rugby outfit to give him a shot, but Southland Stag Blair Ryall has piqued the interest of a couple of former All Black coaches.
Ryall headed to Japan late last year to link with Toyota Verblitz in what was initially expected to be a short-term injury cover opportunity through the Japanese preseason.
Fellow Stags Matt Whaanga and Jacob Payne were also at Toyota Verblitz for the preseason with the plan for all three to return home to New Zealand in December.
However, Ryall was asked to stay on and has continued training with the squad while also playing some games for the club’s B team.
There have been some Visa issues to work through, but with that now sorted Toyota Verblitz announced on Thursday Ryall has been signed for the remainder of the Japanese season.
When Ryall first headed to Japan late last year, Stags coach Matt Saunders predicted Ryall would probably capture some interest in Japan.
That’s just what has happened.
Toyota Verblitz is coached by former All Black coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster.
It’s understood the coaching pair have liked what they have seen from Ryall during his time at the club.
Ryall has been one of the Stags’ best since joining Southland from Canterbury in 2022.
He was named Stag of the Year in 2023 and spent some time with the Highlanders during the 2024 Super Rugby preseason before he was struck down by a nasty knee injury.
The 23-year-old’s 2024 NPC campaign was also hindered by injury, but he still impressed in the six games he did play.
Although Ryall still went unwanted, Super Rugby wise, with the Highlanders searching for bigger sized looseforward options.
The opportunity to play and train fulltime under the guidance of the likes of Hansen and Foster should be significant for Ryall in his rugby development.
Toyota Verblitz was dealt a significant blow in the looseforward department with the loss of South African Pieter-Steph du Toit for three to four months through injury.
On top of Ryall’s signing Toyota Verblitz has also locked in former Australian captain Michael Hooper.
Toyota Verblitz has a one win-four loss record through the first five games of the Japan Rugby League One competition.
The round-robin stage of the competition runs through to May with playoffs after that.