Related Research Articles
The Japan national rugby union team, also known as the Cherry Blossoms, the Brave Blossoms, or simply Sakura, represents Japan in men's international rugby union. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and has enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC). They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup (RWC) since the tournament began in 1987, and hosted the event in 2019.
Epi Taione is a former Tongan rugby union footballer whose last club was London Welsh. He normally played at centre but could cover the wing or back row.
Sailosi Tagicakibau is a rugby union footballer who has played at wing for London Irish and Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.
Alun Wyn Jones is a Welsh former international rugby union player who played as a lock. He played most of his career for Ospreys and for the Wales national team. He is the world's most-capped rugby union player, with 158 caps for Wales and 13 for the British & Irish Lions, and also holds the records for the most Wales caps and the second most Wales caps as captain. He retired from rugby in 2023.
Deacon Tehanakore Manu is a New Zealand-born retired Fijian rugby union footballer. He played as a prop for the Scarlets in the Pro12, having signed from the Chiefs in 2006.
Eben Etzebeth is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and the South Africa national rugby team. He made his international debut for the Springboks in 2012 and has since won 130 caps, making him the Springboks' most capped player. His regular playing position is as a loosehead lock. He is widely regarded as one of the best locks of his generation.
Rayno Shannon Benjamin is a South African rugby union footballer who plays as a wing or centre for Japanese Top East League side Shimizu Blue Sharks.
The 2006 Italy rugby union tour was a series of two matches played in June 2006 in Japan and Fiji by Italy national rugby union team. After a convincing victory against Japan, the team managed by Pierre Berbizier, lost against Fiji.
Yoshihito Yoshida is a former rugby union footballer who played for Japan. He played as a wing.
Tatsukichi Nishiura is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 50 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 14 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try against Italy.
Yuji Matsubara is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a hooker. He spent his whole career playing for Kobelco Steelers in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 35 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 20 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring two tries.
Takanori Kumagae is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a lock. He spent his whole career playing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's domestic Top League, playing a single season. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearance in the tournament. He made a further 25 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring one try.
Hare Makiri is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Munakata Sanix Blues in the Top League. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 4 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 22 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring five tries, before late coaching Japan Sevens.
Philip O'Reilly is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making two appearances in the tournament. He made a further nine appearances for Japan in his career, scoring seven tries.
Takamichi Sasaki is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a flanker. He played for both Suntory Sungoliath and Hino Red Dolphins in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 100 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 12 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring four tries.
Eiji Ando is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a fly-half. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but didn't make an appearance at the tournament. He did though make 13 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 55 points.
Tomoki Kitagawa is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a wing. He spent his whole career playing for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 80 times. He was named as a replacement in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 1 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 2 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring two tries.
Mitsugu Yamamoto is a Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop or hooker. He's currently playing for Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan's domestic Top League. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but withdrew from the tournament due to injury. He made a further 10 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring three tries.
Yuta Inose is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a prop. He spent his whole career playing for NEC Green Rockets in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 65 times. He was named as a backup player for Japan for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He did though make six appearances for Japan.
Taku Inokuchi is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a hooker. He spent his whole career playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 10 times. He was named as a backup player for Japan for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making two appearances in the tournament. He made a further 5 appearances for Japan, scoring a try.
References
- ↑ "Shotaro Onishi". ESPN Rugby. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ↑ Japan Rugby Football Union
- ↑ "Japan vs Canada - Nailbiting finish". Rugby Dump. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
