Horie re-signs with Rebels

Sydney - Japanese hooker Shota Horie has signed a new one-year deal with Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels that will take him through to the Rugby World Cup next year, the club said on Wednesday.

Horie, the first Japanese player to play Super Rugby in Australia, has made 17 appearances for the team and scored his first try in April.

The 28-year-old, aiming to play his second Rugby World Cup in England in 2015, said he was happy to remain in Melbourne after welcoming baby Yoshino to his family a month ago.

"My wife Yukari told me that if I want to stay as a Rebel, we can do that; the baby will be fine here," he said in a statement.

"Super Rugby is a very difficult competition and, this year, we haven't won enough games," he added.

"I want to win more Super Rugby games at the Rebels and I want more Super Rugby game time."

Horie will return to play in the Japanese Top League for champions Panasonic Wild Knights in the off-season before rejoining the Rebels next year.