BLOG 2 - Get to know the Hito-Communications Sunwolves

BLOG 2 - Get to know the Hito-Communications Sunwolves

The countdown is on to the next of our big rugby 15s fixtures here in Hong Kong, the Super Rugby showdown between the Hito-Communications Sunwolves and the DHL Stormers.

After their recent disappointing lost against The Sharks in Durban, co-captains Yutaka Negare & Willie Britz, alongside Head Coach Jamie Joseph are looking for ways to come back fighting in this weekend’s fight against the Lions.

We thought it was the perfect opportunity to take a look at the big names in the team, and get to know… the Hito-Communications Sunwolves.

blog-2_1.png#asset:23310 Starting with co-captain Yutaka Nagare. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, this scrum-half is 25 years old and has caps  for Japan under his belt, making his debut for Japan in their win over our very own Hong Kong in the 2017 Asia Cup.






blog-2_2.png#asset:23311By his side runs No.8 South African-born Willie Britz, easily identified by his Lion-like hair, who’s CV notes the likes of the Barbarians, Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Lions and now the Sunwolves. 







Heading up the back-row is Michael Leitch, a Japanese-New Zealand rugby union player who made his international debut in 2008 against the USA in Nagoya aged 20 (and received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle!) Following his impressive caps for Japan (notably winning man of the match at the 2011 Rugby World Cup loss against Tonga), he moved back to New Zealand to play for The Chiefs, yet suffered a broken arm, before being denied his first game in return for Japan where he suffered a broken leg.

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He wouldn’t stop there however, as Eddie Jones named him captain of the Japan side in 2014, making him the second New Zealand-born player to lead the Brave Blossoms, after Andrew McCormick in the 1990s. He now holds a prize position in the Sunwolves, and we look forward to seeing him play on Hong Kong turf.

The most notable point about the Sunwolves is that Jamie Joseph, coach of both Sunwolves and the Japan National Team has ensured that the majority of the Japanese National Team are Sunwolves players. In fact, he has expressly stated that if they don’t play for the Sunwolves, they will not be in the Japanese National team. Consequently, here on March 19th, it is very likely you will be witnessing and international side in action.

 


Don’t miss out. Saturday 19th May, Mong Kok Stadium. Tickets are now on sale: https://www.ticketflap.com/sup...

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