Makos winger Lolohea headed to Sunwolves' Super team in Japan

The number of Tasman players involved in this season's Super Rugby competition has just increased to 17 following winger Viliami Lolohea's signing with the Sunwolves in Japan.

The Tasman Rugby Union's chief executive Tony Lewis confirmed that Lolohea had signed with the new Japanese franchise, to be coached by new Tasman assistant coach Mark Hammett, about four weeks ago.

"Hammer was after a winger and [Tasman head coach] Leon [MacDonald] and myself put together a case and sent a bit of footage over to Japan of his good and bad points and they've contracted him," Lewis said.

"It'd be fair to say that we're pretty surprised that he didn't get a contract in New Zealand. When you look at the quality of wingers running around in the ITM Cup and Super Rugby, he must have been up there but for whatever reason, he wasn't picked up."

The former Warriors under-20 league winger is one of Tasman's contracted players for next season. After a slow start to last season's national provincial championship, Lolohea developed into one of Tasman's more consistent players as he finally began to show some genuine attacking ability.

Lolohea, 22, made his Tasman debut against Manawatu last season and has played eight games for the province.

Lewis said that his continued exposure to top level rugby would further help his rugby education.

"I think the bonus for us is that he's in a professional environment...he'll be working with one of the coaches and it's a positive all round. And he's a kid who, the higher he plays, the better he plays."