Super Rugby: Sunwolves star Tusi Pisi set to leave for Bristol at season's end

Sunwolves star Tusi Pisi has announced that he will quit the Japanese club to join Bristol on a two-year deal. PHOTO: REUTERS

SINGAPORE - Sunwolves star Tusi Pisi has announced that he will quit the Japanese club when the current campaign ends.

In an announcement on Thursday - just four games into the team's maiden Super Rugby season - the 33-year-old Samoan fly-half said he will join English club Bristol on a two-year deal.

He said in a statement on the club'swebsite: "I'm delighted to be joining Bristol and look forward to playingclub rugby in England for the first time.

"I have spoken to the Samoan contingent at Bristol and have heard great things so I'm excited to get involved and help the team."

Pisi will join fellow Samoa internationals David Lemi, Jack Lam and Anthony Perenise at Bristol. Pisi has 28 international caps, which include all four matches Samoa played at last year's World Cup.

Bristol finished top of the second-tier Championship league for the past two seasons, but were beaten during the play-offs and missed out on promotion to the Premiership.

A former Hurricanes and Crusaders player, Pisi has recorded 40 points - half of the total points the Sunwolves have scored so far in four matches.

The Sunwolves, Asia's first franchise to join the elite rugby club competition this year, hope to get their first Super Rugby win when they take on struggling South African team the Kings on Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

The Kings are the only outfit in the 18-team league who have yet to pick up a point.

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