Japan announces squad for All Blacks test and Euro tour

TOKYO (Oct. 16) – The Japan Rugby Football Union named a 32-man squad Wednesday for the five games the national team will play in November.

Brave Blossoms general manager Kensuke Iwabuchi announced the squad that will start its busy autumn with a test against New Zealand in Tokyo on Nov. 2, after head coach Eddie Jones was forced to miss the press conference through illness.

Two uncapped players, Yamaha Jubilo No. 8 Kyosuke Horie and Panasonic Wild Knights wing Akihito Yamada, were included with a further three uncapped players among the six back-up players.

“I have selected the best 32 players who are performing well at the moment,” Jones said in a statement. “I am excited to create another new history following Japan National team’s wins from the last year in Europe and the match against Wales in June this year.”

The squad includes veterans Hitoshi Ono and Takashi Kikutani in the forwards, while Fumiaki Tanaka, currently playing for Otago in New Zealand’s ITM Cup, is named among the backs.

Two university students, Kenki Fukuoka and Yoshikazu Fujita, have been named in the squad while high-school student Yusuke Kajimura is among the back-up players.

The two other uncapped players among the sextet on standby are Ryu Sioapelatu Holani, younger brother of No. 8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, and So Kilryong.

Following the game against the world champion All Blacks, Japan plays Scotland in on Nov. 9, Gloucester on Nov. 12 and Russia (in Colwyn Bay, Wales) on Nov. 15, before rounding off the tour with a test against Spain in Madrid on Nov. 23.