First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for being allowed to play in such a fantastic environment, which includes the wonderful field, gym, and training camp. I’m also sincerely grateful to everyone who came before me over the team’s 64 years and passed the baton to me.
One of the biggest moments last season was, of course, the opening round of the Kanto University Rugby League. Our tough 27 to 24 victory over Tokai University, a powerhouse that was in the process of winning the league for the fourth straight year, gave us confidence that we could succeed on this stage. In the end, we qualified for the All-Japan University Rugby Football Championship with a record of five wins and two losses. However, while I was happy, I was also very frustrated because I wanted to go further. I felt we had some growing to do.

Ever since taking the post, I have consistently stressed the importance of improving basic skills. We hold almost no complicated practices. Instead, we train with the aim of “perfecting basic movements.” For example, we repeat each basic movement—like how to move the feet or apply the hips when tackling or how to throw a pass that is easy for a teammate to catch—and ingrain it into the body. The fact is, the bigger the situation, the more likely you’ll lose due to a simple mistake in play. We train thoroughly so that our players can make highly precise movements without even thinking about it.

Practicing with attention to precision leads to fewer penalties and better play. Conversely, what you can’t do in practice, you will never be able to do in a game. It is not an easy way to practice, but the players advise each other and do their best.

There is a saying, chiko rakuyu (知好楽遊), which means “He who knows something, likes it; he who likes something, enjoys it; and he who enjoys something, plays it.” Rugby is truly a state of play for us. Sometimes I even stop practice because I am worried everyone is going too hard. We also make sure to complement each other—like when someone makes a good play, we shout, “Nice!” I value positive words, smiles, and the energy that radiates from our bodies.

Every year, I give new team members a copy of the book Bonji Tettei (by Hidesaburo Kagiyama), which explains the importance of approaching “little or ordinary things” (bonji), such as cleaning and keeping things in order, with an attitude of “thoroughness” (tettei). One student who read the book began cleaning around the dormitory on his own. I should mention that he is now playing for the Japanese national team.

Actions like picking up trash, lining up balls neatly, and keeping slippers in order may seem unrelated to rugby. But I have come to realize that when I do them, I feel good and also have a positive impact on people around me. I think I have changed for the better since I started playing under Coach Fukunaga, and I’ve come to enjoy playing rugby even more.

Right now, we have players from nine countries, including New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, and Samoa. When players have diverse roots, the range of things that can be shared expands—cultures and values, good times, and hardships. For example, one of the “cultures” that Taniela brought to us is whole roasted pig.

It’s something we eat in Tonga, where I am from, when we’re celebrating something. When we held a welcome party for new team members, we bought three pigs and roasted them whole over charcoal for everyone to eat.

It is really tasty, with an amazing aroma and crispy skin!

There is a difference between respecting diversity and acting as one likes. So we place great importance on aligning our perspectives in the sense of utilizing each player’s values and ideas for the good of the team.

That’s why we often have meetings both on and off the field. We want to be able to discuss any topic.

This is not only about the diversity of roots. It’s also about understanding the role of one’s own position and doing one’s job for the team. Even if a player is not a starter, he will contribute to the team. I believe the permeation of this mindset is helping the team mature.

He came to Japan by himself at the age of 14 and has come this far with extraordinary resolution and hard work. I have watched him since he was a high school student, so I know he is the kind of man who takes the initiative in preparing for games and even checks for forgotten items and cleans up before leaving. As a university student, he was selected as one of the best fifteen players in the second division two years in a row, and in his third year, he was selected as one of the best fifteen players in the first division. I think he will eventually become a member of Japan’s national team. He is a very reliable captain.

I am the type of person who shows more through actions than words. The 70 members of our team are important to me as a “Big Family,” so I want to lead them responsibly.

When I talk with the parents of our players, I realize there is nothing that beats the love a mother pours into her child. They carefully nurture their children in their bellies for about 10 months, and then they spend a great deal of time and energy raising them. The rugby team also works for about 10 months and 10 days a year, excluding holidays. We, too, intend to evolve by pouring our love into the team every single day. That’s the feeling incorporated into the slogan.

Our goal is, of course, to be the best in Japan. The entire team is highly aware of this goal and practices diligently to achieve it.

People tend to focus on the spectacular tries, but I think the essence of rugby is expressed in the defense. Tackling is both frightening and painful. Sometimes players can slack off. If the spirit of “self-sacrifice” is not instilled in everyone, then the defensive system will fail to work. Especially during the last 10 minutes of the second half, the toughest time of the game, each team will be exposed. I urge spectators to pay particular attention at that time.

If you try watching not only the ball but also the movements of nearby players, you can anticipate what will happen next. I think that makes the game even more interesting.

Last season, I was very moved when someone hung a board in the stands reading, “Thank you for bringing us to Chichibunomiya [rugby stadium].” Rugby is truly a “sport of the heart” where players’ thoughts and feelings resonate with spectators. I hope fans will sense our desire to “repay everyone for their support” through our play.

The power and excitement of rugby can only be felt in a stadium. We hope everyone will come out and cheer us on!