In May 2007 former Hurricanes midfielder Bryce Robins made his international debut for Japan in the second of two matches against the ‘Classic All Blacks’ in Tokyo, going on to play in the World Cup in France.

Robins was named by Japanese coach and former All Blacks great John Kirwan to face many of his former Hurricanes teammates including Jonah Lomu on the wing and Pita Alatini in the midfield, before playing three tests at first five-eighth at the World Cup.

In 2004 the then 24-year old Robins had shifted to Japan to take up a professional contract with Ricoh after 33 matches for Taranaki since 2000 and two years in the Hurricanes. Robins made his Super 12 debut for the Hurricanes in 2002, appearing in four matches, after spending three seasons in the Hurricanes Development team. In 2003 he was part of the squad but didn’t take the field.