Blake Ferguson

The 31-year-old, who quit the NRL following the 2021 campaign after failing to earn another contract with the Parramatta Eels, was given his marching orders three days after being arrested for allegedly possessing cocaine in Tokyo.

Ferguson was arrested in the early hours following a serious misdemeanour at a Tokyo restaurant in Roppongi on December 30. He could be behind bars for weeks, even months, given Japan’s zero tolerance stance towards drugs.

Foxsports.com.au can reveal Ferguson will join former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who is the director of rugby at NEC Green Rockets in the Japan Top League.

Ferguson’s management is expected to get the paperwork to confirm his deal within the next 24 hours.

What’s more, former Wallaby Scott Fardy has recently arrived in Japan, where he will be the defence coach at the Japanese club.

It’s an intriguing twist given Fardy was unceremoniously dropped by Cheika, where he played his last Test against France at the Stade de France in 2016.

Fairfax Media and Channel Nine report officers from NSW Police visited a house in Sydney’s inner west after Carter claimed Ferguson’s young children had ingested drugs.

Ferguson reportedly invited Carter over to his home where they were drinking until 3am before Ferguson asked the ex-backrower to leave before receiving a visit from police shortly thereafter.

Both Ferguson and Kenny-Dowall are just as prolific on a flank as they are in the centres, while Ferguson started the previous year at fullback following Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's departure.