Soqeta takes up Japan contract

Powerful Taranaki utility forward Nemia Soqeta has quit New Zealand rugby to take up a two year contract in Japan.

Soqeta's agent, Bruce Sharrock, confirmed the 25 year old had signed the deal with an undisclosed club side in Japan.

Sharrock would not release any further details about the move, saying it was up to the Japanese club to release details publicly about the signing.

The Fijian born Soqeta has been a Taranaki squad member for two years, making 20 appearances under departed coach Adrian Kennedy.

He spent most of the 2008 season playing on the flank, but was switched to lock for the majority of his appearances last year, usually from the bench.

At 196cm and 117kg, Soqeta was viewed as a perfect impact player, but he was surprisingly used only sparingly by Kennedy last season after a barnstorming club season for Clifton that netted him 13 tries.

Taranaki assistant coach Leo Crowley was disappointed that Soqeta would not be available for the national provincial championship.

Soqeta follows his older brother, Tomasi, to Japan.

Tomasi left Taranaki in 2007 after making 34 appearances to take up a contract with Suntory Sungoliath.