I had just finished my career with the Ospreys and Wales. I was used to everything that comes with international and professional rugby; things like cryotherapy recovery and top-quality facilities.
When I got to Japan, I remember that initially we trained on a grass field in the middle of the Mitsubishi factory and we had a Rocky-style gym which was pretty basic to be honest.
Japanese rugby has come a long, long way since then. Next season, the Top League – which I’ve watched a lot of this year – plans on becoming fully professional for the first time. I truly believe this will change the rugby world forever and have a real impact.
Japanese rugby is on the up and from my time there, I know they are not a country to rest on their laurels. They will want to build and continue to grow. With a fully professional league, the sky is the limit for Japan.
For the last decade or so there has been a fairly constant stream of world-class foreigners going to play in Japan. I’m not sure I fit into that category, but when I was in Japan there were guys like Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Matt Giteau, and Jaque Fourie there. They were certainly all world-class!
Denne historien er fra May 23, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 23, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
