Japanese hooker Shota Horie re-signs with Melbourne Rebels for 2014 Super Rugby season

FRESH from a starring role for Japan in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup Test hooker Shota Horie re-signs with Melbourne Rebels for the 2014 season.

Shota Horie

FRESH from a starring role for Japan in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup Test hooker Shota Horie has re-signed with the Melbourne Rebels for the 2014 season.

Horie, who has now played  23 Tests for the Cherry Blossoms, starred in his nation’s historic 23-8 win against Wales in Tokyo, their first against a top tier nation.

He has played seven games for the Rebels this season mainly off the bench and hoped to deliver more next season with Rebels foundation hooker Ged Robinson leaving the club.

"I am very glad to stay here in Melbourne for the 2014 season," Horie said.

"In my first year, I could not contribute to the team as much as I would have liked, but was able to learn a lot about Super Rugby.

"Next season I am looking to play more minutes and continue to earn the respect of my teammates on the field."

Horie will fight it out with Irishman Tom Sexton for the number two jersey in 2014.

"Like all of my teammates, I would like to start as many games as possible," he said.

"I hope I can continue to develop my rugby with this team which has a lot of potential."

Horie could go up against and Highlanders halfback Fumiaki Tanaka, in the Rebels' final match of the season at AAMI Park next Friday. 

But Rebels centre Mitch Inman won’t play after breaking his hand in the tour match against the British and Irish Lions last week. 

Winger Lachie Mitchell could yet be available with his appeal against a dangerous tackle charge stemming from the same game yet to be heard.