Onozawa set for record breaking day

TOKYO (May 30) – Hirotoki Onozawa is set to become the most capped player in Japanese rugby history when the Brave Blossoms take on Fiji in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday.

The 35-year-old will win his 80th  cap when he takes to the field at Lautoka’s Churchill Park, passing the 79 caps won by Yukio Motoki.

Onozawa limped off during last week’s loss to Tonga in Yokohama but has been passed fit and is hoping for better things against the Fijians.

“The Tonga game was not a special game personally because of the result,” he said. “The team is getting better but we always want to do better. That’s the top priority.”

With Shinya Makabe and Kosei Ono injured, head coach Eddie Jones was forced into making some changes.

Michael Broadhurst moves from flanker to lock to fill in for Makabe, whileYu Tamura is promoted from the bench to the No. 10 jersey.

Michael Leitch makes his first international appearance of the season at flanker, having joined the squad from New Zealand where he is a member of the Chiefs extended training squad.

“Practice has been fun and I’m really happy to join up with the squad,” said Leitch. “We need to make sure we start well so we can get back that winning culture.”

There are two other changes in the pack with Yusuke Aoki and Kensuke Hatakeyama both starting in the front row, having been among the replacements last week.

In the backs, Yuta Imamura is named on the right wing with Yoshikazu Fujita dropping put of the 23-man squad. Jones said Imamura owed his place to his combination of speed and strength.

Craig Wing is named on the bench and will cover both flyhalf and centre.

Takashi Kikutani, who will lead the side from No.8 said, like Leitch, a good start was imperative.

“We were overwhelmed at the start by Tonga,” Kikutani said. We need a good set piece so we can show off the Japan Way.”