The match-day squad for the upcoming match against Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath on April 27th at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka has been announced. Kaisei Tamura, in his third year with the team, will make his first appearance for Verblitz as a starter. Flanker William Tupou will start for the first time since Round 5, and Prop Gaku Shimizu returns to the squad for the first time since Round 1 as a reserve.
Following the bye week, the team has refreshed itself, and three resilient players—those capable of bouncing back from adversity—have been newly named in the 23-man squad for the upcoming game. Tamura, who has experience with the Japan High School National Team and Junior Japan, joined the team in 2022 after graduating from Doshisha University. He went to Southland in New Zealand during the 2023 season, where his talent was recognized locally as well. However, this will be his first inclusion in the match-day squad.At the press conference, Co-Head Coach Ian Foster explained the selection, saying, “He’s grown a lot in the last three or four months. He's quick, passes well and we just believe starting him rather than off the bench is a great way for him to prepare going into this game.” Aaron Smith has accumulated fatigue and will take this week to refresh and focus on the remaining matches.
Tamura, wearing the number nine jersey in League One for the first time, said, “I’ve been preparing all along so I would be ready whenever the chance came.” This season, he has also focused on body transformation, gaining 3 kilograms of weight and building a muscular physique. He has consistently managed his condition since his student days and has continued to work with the team’s nutritionist and reviewed his daily habits at Verblitz.“To keep up with the speed of the game and to avoid a drop in physicality, I’ve worked on physical transformation. Gaining strength has also given me more confidence in contact.”After returning from New Zealand, he hit a wall and had a period where he stepped away from training. He even considered quitting rugby at one point.“Even then, my high school friends and Toyota teammates sent me messages. After coming back, I decided to give everything I had to what was right in front of me. That effort led to improvements in strength and fitness. I want to carry the thoughts of those who supported me during my time away and give it my all.”
William Tupou, starting for the first time in 10 weeks since the Round 5 match against the Wild Knights, watched over the team from the outside during his time away.“Yes, we haven't got the results and we need to stick to the plan from start to finish and a lot of our losses is not sticking to the plan. We need to trust our game plan ”The team is currently in 10th place. If they lose the next match, the possibility of finishing in the top six disappears, and a spot in the relegation play-offs becomes more likely. “There's a lot of mixed emotions and I think that's a normal in our game. We’re excited because a lot of us are willing to set the challenge that we have ahead of us.”The return of the 34-year-old veteran, who has been through many battles, will serve as a psychological boost above all.
Gaku Shimizu was injured after the season opener but continued to make his case through performances in the Mirai Match, earning his way back into the squad.“I prepared to give the 1st side good pressure and create the best training environment, and now the chance has come. Shogo (Miura) and Momoji both performed really well, so I kept up the competition and finally made it back.”Like Tamura, his return is the result of steady effort. His mission is to get front-foot ball at set pieces and the contact area.As a team, they’ve had yellow cards in the last two matches, and discipline is now an urgent issue.Foster commented, “Both yellow cards in the last game were just with us being inaccurate as we entered the tackle. So, we’ve been working hard on our technique in that area.”
The previous match against the Sungoliath was on January 4th and ended in a 30-30 draw. The team wants to harness the passion of the players who seized this opportunity through their indomitable spirit and turn it into momentum.
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