Japan XV Squad Announced for World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024
The JRFU have today announced the 28-player, Japan XV squad who will head to Samoa to compete in this year’s World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024. Taking place between April 10 to 20 at Apia Park, in the Samoan capital, the Japan XV will face Manuma Samoa, Fiji Warriors, and Tonga A across three massive matches. The round-robin tournament will see all teams play three matches each, with the team finishing with the most competition points named as Pacific Challenge 2024 Champions.
The squad will assemble for a final training camp in Chiba Prefecture between March 31 and April 4, before departing for Samoa on April 5. In addition to the 28 squad members, four additional players – two locks, a scrumhalf, and one utility back, will join the final training camp in Japan as injury back-up.
The tournament features a unique setup in which the competing squads consist of 28 players. Of this number, 23 members must be 23 years of age or younger on the first day of competition (April 10, 2024), while the remaining five squad members can be any age over 18. While typically comprising a mix of capped Brave Blossoms, and players knocking on the door of national team selection, the Japan XV for this competition will be made up predominantly of players from Japan’s U20 side. The team will also be led by Japan’s U20 National Team Coach, Naoya Okubo.
Naoya Okubo, Japan U20 Team Head Coach and Head Coach of the Pacific Challenge 2024 Japan XV squad commented:
“The team has been preparing hard, both mentally and physically within a demanding training regime. We brought the forwards into camp in February and were then joined by the backs in March. The team have also played four practice matches against four separate League One sides, giving us valuable game time against quality opposition. We would like to thank the JRLO for providing us with this important opportunity.”
“The 28-member squad members are ready to depart for Samoa and to represent Japan. We will unite as a team and fight as one, in all three matches, no matter what the conditions. We count on your enthusiastic support and will do our best to make our country proud.”
This year’s competition promises to be electric with Samoa, Tonga, and Japan all looking to challenge the formidable Fiji Warriors, the reigning Pacific Challenge Champions. Having secured their record tenth championship title in last year’s competition, Fiji stand as the team to beat. Japan will be looking to reclaim the form that led them to victory in 2020, the last tournament before 2023 due to the break caused by the Covid pandemic. Hosts Manuma Samoa will be aiming to perform in front of their home crowd, while Tonga A is expected to bring their characteristic size and physicality.
All kick-off times local Apia time (JST in brackets). Broadcast schedules will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.
World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 Match Schedule
| ROUND 1 WED 10 APRIL, 2024 | #1 Tonga A v Fiji Warriors 13:15 (09:15 JST) | #2 Mnuma Samoa v Japan XV 16:00 (12:00 JST) |
| ROUND 2 MON 15 APRIL, 2024 | #3 Fiji Warriors v Japan XV 13:15 (09:15) | #4 Manuma Samoa v Tonga A 16:00 (12:00 JST) |
| ROUND 3 SAT 20 APRIL, 2024 | #5 Japan XV v Tonga A 12:15 (08:15 JST) | #6 Manuma Samoa v Fiji Warriors 15:00 (11:00 JST) |
Japan XV 28-Member Squad
| Position | Name | University | Hight | Weight | DOB |
| PR | Jinnosuke MORI | Tenri Univ. | 177 | 105 | 2004/1/14 |
| PR | Mutsuki URADE | Kindai Univ. | 167 | 104 | 2005/1/17 |
| PR | Towa NUNOBIKI | Teikyo Univ. | 180 | 110 | 2004/11/17 |
| PR | Yuta HATTA | Kyoto Sangyo Univ. | 185 | 112 | 2004/4/5 |
| PR | Takumi YAMAGUCHI | Meiji Univ. | 181 | 120 | 2005/3/29 |
| HO | Kenji SATO | Waseda Univ. | 177 | 108 | 2003/1/4 |
| HO | Haruya KERAKAWAUCHI | Teikyo Univ. | 174 | 100 | 2004/9/15 |
| HO | Kenshin SHIMIZU | Waseda Univ. | 178 | 104 | 2004/12/27 |
| LO | Chuka ISHIBASHI | Kyoto Sangyo Univ. | 190 | 95 | 2004/4/10 |
| LO | Shuntaro ISOBE | Tsukuba Univ. | 190 | 110 | 2004/7/14 |
| LO | Yotaro MONOBE | Meiji Univ. | 191 | 116 | 2004/9/28 |
| LO | Tomonosuke SHIROMARU | Tsukuba Univ. | 185 | 106 | 2004/12/14 |
| LO | Keito AOKI | Teikyo Univ. | 187 | 100 | 2002/6/14 |
| FL | Koki KAWAGOE | Tenri Univ. | 180 | 88 | 2004/5/23 |
| FL | Yoshiaki TAIAN | Tenri Univ. | 176 | 92 | 2004/4/2 |
| FL/NO8 | Shusui KAMEI | Meiji Univ. | 191 | 84 | 2004/10/27 |
| FL/NO8 | Kotaro OKAWA | Meiji Univ. | 187 | 102 | 2004/4/24 |
| SH | Asahi DOEI | Kyoto Sangyo Univ. | 170 | 73 | 2003/1/9 |
| SH | Joji TAKAGI | Kyoto Sangyo Univ. | 164 | 70 | 2004/9/11 |
| SH/SO | Rieto ITO | Meiji Univ. | 173 | 74 | 2004/7/30 |
| SO | Takaya MOTOHASHI | Teikyo Univ. | 182 | 86 | 2004/5/19 |
| SO | Ryunosuke ITO | Meiji Univ. | 170 | 76 | 2004/7/30 |
| CTB | Yuta AKIHAMA | Meiji Univ. | 174 | 84 | 2002/5/15 |
| CTB | Yamato UEDA | Teikyo Univ. | 180 | 84 | 2005/3/8 |
| WTB/FB | Kohaku EBISAWA | Meiji Univ. | 173 | 79 | 2004/10/27 |
| WTB/FB | Yoshitaka YAZAKI | Waseda Univ. | 180 | 85 | 2004/5/12 |
| Utility | Jingo TAKENOSHITA | Meiji Univ. | 180 | 83 | 2004/6/11 |
| Utility | Tasuku MASUYAMA | Tsukuba Univ. | 177 | 83 | 2004/4/14 |
Additional Injury Replacements (not scheduled to travel unless called up)
| LO | Aoi OMIYA | Nihon Univ. | 188 | 100 | 2004/9/14 |
| LO | Ryoku MASUO | – | 186 | 117 | 2004/10/19 |
| SO/CTB | Syota GOTO | Nihon Univ. | 177 | 83 | 2004/4/11 |
| Utility | Yusuke YOSHIDA | Teikyo Univ. | 185 | 90 | 2004/7/31 |