IN recent years, Japanese rugby has earned the reputation of being an unhindered display of brave and fearless rugby, giving way to the title ‘Brave Blossoms’ (or ‘Cherry Blossoms’, as they are also known). Their tenacity on the field is matched by their determination off it. This is certainly true for four international rugby players who represented the Nashua Crusaders recently.
The trio from The Land of the Rising Sun and a New Zealander have found a new home in Durban North, and have quickly earned themselves a following at the Ranleigh Crescent fields with some people yelling out “Gus the Bus!” or “Tekken!” as words of encouragement to their international visitors.
Takatoshi Sugawara (‘Gus the Bus’), Tokiro Harada (‘Chappie’), Leilua Murphy (‘Murf’) and Takeru Fukui (‘Tekken’) are currently on loan from the Tokyo-based club, the Canon Eagles. The team, which was founded in 1981, competes in the top league and is owned by Canon and based in Machida, Tokyo.
While they have enjoyed the hospitality from the locals, the quartet said they would be taking back African beer, biltong and the friendships they forged at the Durban North club, and most of all what they learned on the rugby field.
Auckland-born flanker, Leilua Murphy, who decided to play rugby in Japan, said he was impressed with the physicality of club rugby in South Africa.
“It’s been an awesome experience. The South Africans definitely have physicality as one of their strengths on the rugby field and it’s definitely been one of the highlights of this trip,” he explained. When asked if he’d tried any of the local delicacies, Murf said
“Oh yeah, biltong, it’s really good.”
Takeru Fukui, who has represented Japan at an U20 level internationally, says he has also enjoyed the experience. The scrumhalf has pulled off some impressive performances for the ‘Saders in their campaign so far.
“It has definitely been a huge learning curve. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it, and I know some of the lessons I’ve learnt here I will take back home,” said the Osaka native.
His fellow countryman and loose head prop, Takatoshi Sugawara, has also been a hit at the club, with people shouting out “Gus the Bus!” every time he touched the ball.
“It’s great to hear that out on the field; it gives you a lot of motivation and lifts you. What I’ve learned on my trip to South Africa is to try and get my body shape right and keep low in the tackles. Japanese rugby is very backline orientated, and rugby here is more forward-dominated. But that’s helping me add another dimension to my game,” he said.
When asked what he missed about home, Tokiro Harada said sushi. “It is definitely better in Japan,” he laughed.
Last year the Durban North side had a Fijian winger playing for them.
