Kiwi Japanese international players
| Author | RUGBY Jesse Wood |
| Published date | 19 August 2021 |
| Publication title | Te Awamutu Courier |
After three years, many qualify for the country they are playing in due to residency, as long as they haven’t represented another international team previously.
Japan has many Kiwis playing in their Top League, so this has happened many times over the years for the Brave Blossoms.
Former Japanese fullback Bryce Robins played for Taranaki, the Hurricanes and New Zealand Māori before heading off to Japan.
“I was young and just starting out my career in New Zealand playing through NPC, Super 12 and NZ Māori. It wasn’t until I missed selection for the Hurricanes that the opportunity to play in Japan came up,” he said.
“The rugby in New Zealand was, and still is, the best in the world. I really loved playing here, but the chance to play in Japan was such a good opportunity.”
The first team Robins played for in Japan was Ricoh Black Rams with former All Blacks Eroni Clarke and Glen Osborne.
“They made my first year so awesome and fun that I ended up playing 16 years,” said Robins.
“The game has evolved so much since then, Japan were years behind New Zealand in player development, but have since closed the gap.
“The highlight of my career? There were so many rugby moments but I think, for me, it’s the people I met and lifelong friendships gained, also for myself and family to have travelled the world with rugby.”
The following XV are players who have played rugby in New Zealand as well as internationally for Japan.
All started their careers in New Zealand except for Shota Horie, Hiroshi Yamashita and Fumiaki Tanaka who came over to play here before returning to Japan.
New Zealand Japan XV: (*still active)
■ 1. CRAIG MILLAR - Otago/Highlanders/Sunwolves
Born: 1990
Provincial caps: 45
Super Rugby caps: 28
Test caps: 1* (2021)
Test points: 0
Test debut: 2021 v Ireland
Millar played 45 times for Otago and 10 for the Highlanders before Sunwolves coach Jamie Joseph announced Millar would join his squad ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season alongside several other former Highlanders. He played for them for two seasons.
In 2021, Millar made his international debut for Japan against Ireland.
■ 2. SHOTA HORIE - Otago/Melbourne Rebels/Sunwolves
Born: 1986
Provincial caps: 11
Super Rugby caps: 44
Test caps: 66 (2009-2019)
Test points: 50
Test debut: 2009 v Canada
In 2012, Horie played for Otago in the NPC where he attracted the attention of the Melbourne Rebels and they announced Horie’s signing to play Super Rugby for them.
The following year, he became the first Japanese...
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