MELBOURNE: Aussie lockdown Ned Hanigan will return to the New South Wales Waratahs in 2022 after completing his contract in Japan to give the struggling Super Rugby team a boost.

The 26-year-old, playing for Kurita Water Gush in Japan, will join a Waratahs pack with the return of captain Jed Holloway and Wallabies Michael Hooper as the Sydney squad look to bounce back from a winless season in 2021.

“I am very grateful that the Waratahs have welcomed me again,” Hanigan, 15 Test, said in a statement Friday.

“I’m really enjoying my time abroad at Kurita Water Gush in Japan, but as a proud New South Welshman, I look forward to having the opportunity to represent my home state and the Wallabies soon. “

Hanigan will also reunite with new Waratahs coach Darren Coleman after playing under him in the lower level National Rugby Championship.

Despite being based in Australia’s most resource-rich rugby state, 2014 Super Rugby champion Waratahs has suffered an exodus of experienced players in recent years while failing to recruit quality rookies.

The result was 13 straight losses in 2021 after finishing fourth in the five-team AU Super Rugby last year.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Sam Holmes)