Full name | Taku Inokuchi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 5 October 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Japan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Taku Inokuchi (猪口拓, Inokuchi Taku, born 5 October 1982) 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. [1] He was named as a backup player for Japan for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making two appearances in the tournament. [2] He made a further 5 appearances for Japan, scoring a try. [3]
The Japan national rugby union team, also known as the Cherry Blossoms, Brave Blossoms, or simply Sakura, 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 and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship. They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987.
Sailosi Tagicakibau is a rugby union footballer who has played at wing for London Irish and Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.
Rodrigo Roncero, also known as "RoRo", is a retired Argentine former rugby union player. The last team in which he played was Stade Français in the Top 14. He has also played for Gloucester Rugby in the Guinness Premiership from 2002 to 2004. Roncero also played for Argentina, usually as a prop. Whilst at Gloucester he was a replacement in the 2003 Powergen Cup Final in which Gloucester defeated Northampton Saints.
Nili Latu, playing name of Otenili Langilangi is a Tongan rugby union footballer. In 2018, Latu left Newcastle Falcons after helping Falcons achieve 4th in the Aviva Premiership, the highest finish in 20 years. He moved to Japan to continue playing rugby.
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.
Takudzwa Ngwenya is a former rugby union player who played on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and Biarritz Olympique in the Top 14. He made his mark in the 2007 Rugby World Cup with tries against South Africa and Samoa.
Kieran James Crowley is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, who is the former head coach of Italy. He has also coached the New Zealand Under-19s in the 2007 World Championships as well as coaching provincial side Taranaki. He previously served as head coach of Canada. He also spent five seasons coaching Benetton Rugby.
Sekope Kepu is an Australian professional rugby union player. He is a prop and currently plays for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He has previously played for Australian club New South Wales Waratahs, the French club Bordeaux, and London Irish. He also plays for Australia's Wallabies in international matches. Kepu made his international debut for Australia in 2008 and has been a regular in match-day squads ever since, now having played over 100 tests. Kepu is the most-capped prop to ever play for the Wallabies and is also one of the most-capped rugby players in history.
Siyamthanda "Siya" Kolisi, is a South African professional rugby union player who currently captains the South Africa national team. Having formerly played for the Stormers and Sharks in South Africa, he currently plays for Racing 92 in the French Top 14. He generally plays as a flanker and a loose forward. In 2018, Kolisi was appointed captain of the Springboks, becoming the first black man to hold the position and eventually leading the South African Rugby team to victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final against England.
Teofilo Aloisio Mikaele Paulo is a New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union player. He specialises as a lock forward. He plays for Manawatu Turbos in the NPC.
Raymond 'Ray' Niuia is a New Zealand born Samoan retired rugby union player most recently played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He has also played for both the Highlanders and the Blues. His position of choice is Hooker.
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.
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.
Shotaro Onishi is a former Japanese rugby union player who played as a centre. He spent his whole career playing for both Kintetsu Liners and Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan's domestic Top League, playing over 560 times. He was named in the Japan squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making 3 appearances in the tournament. He made a further 30 appearances for Japan in his career, scoring 71 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.
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.