Hewat returns to Super Rugby by joining Brumbies

Former Waratahs back Peter Hewat has left Japan to help the ACT Brumbies' push to the Super 15 finals, the club said on Sunday. Hewat, 34, who has spent the last two seasons in Japan with Suntory, will link with the Australian Conference leaders subject to an insurance clearance, officials said. Coach Jack White said Hewat was enlisted for his vast experience and to guide the team's younger stars amid long-term injuries to key playmakers Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano. "Peter offers plenty of experience to our younger players and we are pleased to have him for the rest of the season," White said. "He is a proven point scorer and has plenty of experience at top level rugby, both in Australia and overseas. I'm looking forward to seeing him in action in Brumbies colours." Hewat, who has also spent three years with London Irish in the English Premiership, played 50 times with the Waratahs between 2005 and 2007 and in his debut year at the Sydney franchise broke club tryscoring and pointscoring records. Predominantly a wing or fullback, Hewat moved to the number 10 jersey during his time in Japan. Super 15 competition rules require players to have been signed, or to be eligible to sign before April 1 to play in the finals, which will restrict Hewat's involvement with the Brumbies to the regular season.