FORCE SIGNS JAPANESE FLYER, AKIHITO YAMADA

[travelling_gerry]

FORCE SIGNS JAPANESE FLYER, AKIHITO YAMADA



By Nick Smith on Thu 18th December 14 in Akihito Yamada, Signings




The Western Force has recruited Japanese international, Akihito Yamada for its 10th season of Asteron Life Super Rugby in 2015.


Yamada joins the Force as a concessional signing for one year, with each Australian club permitted to recruit one Japanese player in addition to their 35-man senior squad. Yamada will be a part of the Western Force’s senior squad and is immediately eligible for selection.


The 29-year-old try-scoring winger has played 10 Tests for the Brave Blossoms since making his debut against Russia last year, crossing for eight tries, including four in Japan’s 62-5 win over Korea in May this year.


The dynamic outside back is currently representing the Panasonic Wild Knights, who currently sit atop of Japan’s Top League, where he has scored 58 tries over four seasons for the team based in Japan’s Gunma province.


Yamada, who scored 20 tries in 14 matches for the Wild Knights during the 2012/2013 season, will join the Force on completion of his current season in Japan.


Yamada says he is looking forward to the new opportunity that awaits him in Western Australia.


“I'm really excited to have this great opportunity to play in Super Rugby as a member of the Western Force team,” he said. “I would like to thank everyone, including Panasonic, that has supported me throughout my career and I hope to have a good season in Perth.”


Head Coach Michael Foley says Yamada is an exciting addition to the Force squad.


“Aki is an attacking wing /fullback, who has demonstrated an ability to find the try line,” he said. “While he’s played international rugby for Japan, he’s keen to keep improving and has expressed a desire to challenge for a place in the match squad.”


The Western Force will kick off their season against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday, 15 February.


2015 Western Force Memberships are now open! Join now at www.westernforce.com.au


Profile
Name: Akihito Yamada
Born: 26/07/1985, Kyoto (Japan)
Position: Wing
Height: 181cm
Weight: 90kg
Test caps: 10
Test points: 40 (8 tries)
Test debut: 2013 v Russia, Colwyn Bay (Wales)
Representative Rugby: 2013-2014 Japan, 2010-2014 Panasonic Wild Knights, 2008-2010 Honda Heat


2015 Western Force squad:
Robbie Abel (EPS), Chris Alcock, Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nathan Charles, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan,
Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ross Haylett-Petty (EPS), Chris Heiberg, Matt Hodgson, Zack Holmes, Oliver Hoskins, Brad Lacey (EPS), Ryan Louwrens (EPS), Steve Mafi, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Luke Morahan, Albert Nikoro, Ian Prior, Solomoni Rasolea, Mitchell Scott, Brynard Stander, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heath Tessmann, Francois van Wyk (EPS), Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Akihito Yamada


- See more at: http://www.westernforce.com.au/artic....FdlcISUh.dpuf

[Buddha Handy]

FORCE SIGNS JAPANESE FLYER, AKIHITO YAMADA

2015 Western Force squad:
Robbie Abel (EPS), Chris Alcock, Marcel Brache, Luke Burton, Nathan Charles, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell, Pek Cowan,
Patrick Dellit, Sias Ebersohn, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, Dane Haylett-Petty, Ross Haylett-Petty (EPS), Chris Heiberg, Matt Hodgson, Zack Holmes, Oliver Hoskins, Brad Lacey (EPS), Ryan Louwrens (EPS), Steve Mafi, Alby Mathewson, Ben McCalman, Luke Morahan, Albert Nikoro, Ian Prior, Solomoni Rasolea, Mitchell Scott, Brynard Stander, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Heath Tessmann, Francois van Wyk (EPS), Rory Walton, Sam Wykes, Akihito Yamada


- See more at: http://www.westernforce.com.au/artic....FdlcISUh.dpuf

Sounds like a good finisher. With Haylett Petty probably at fullback and Morahan on the wing we now have 5 or 6 players who can battle it out for the other wing spot.

[Ecky]

Prefer another bloke playing in Japan...

[andrewg]

[andrewg]

• Already looks good in Blue and Black.
• Has some real pace.
• Good passing and off-loads.
• Reasonably effective tactical kicker
• Strong tackler
• Takes a high ball well
• Good support runner
• Appears to read the game well - opportunist.
• Hungry for the ball.

Good pick-up.

[andrewg]

[chibi]

Well I just fainted. Have to admit, I've been on this guy's bandwagon for a while now, so if he flourishes, I'll be over the moon and we'll have one helluva finisher!!!

I was kinda hoping we'd get Lucas Amorosino also, but I think Cardiff snapped him up.

[Ralto]

...Jumper sales and memberships

[Sheikh]

Being allowed to recruit one Japanese player, in addition to the 35 man roster, sounds like the ARU are allowing free reign for signing any Japanese player. Yamada's side won the Japanese league last year with him scoring two tries in the final and being named in the team of the season. I'd say it looks like we've not signed a journeyman but one of the best Japanese players around.

I wonder if he does really well, if we can keep him as a marquee international? (Although I doubt he'll get paid as well as he could in Japan!)

[AndyS]

"...each Australian club permitted to recruit one Japanese player in addition to their 35-man senior squad" sounded to me like an initiative to give a number of the Japanese players exposure to SR level ahead of 2016. Seemed like surprising good sense, so wondering why there haven't been similar announcements from other teams.

[westies man]

Ok I'm all for looking outside the square but after watching the clip it is only the Japanese league and the opposition defensive technique was bloody woeful.
I would be more in favour of whacking in a guy like Brad Lacey. A standout at the u/20 world cup, would be interesting to see how he would go in a Super 15 enviorment. You don't know until he has been given a crack.
Personally I think he would be up to it, sure he has a lot to learn but he would handle it through sheer gut's and determination.
Need's a chance this season otherwise he'll get snapped up elsewhere.

[James]

He got a chance in the NRC. He was good but needs to work on his defence a bit.

[beige]

"...each Australian club permitted to recruit one Japanese player in addition to their 35-man senior squad" sounded to me like an initiative to give a number of the Japanese players exposure to SR level ahead of 2016. Seemed like surprising good sense, so wondering why there haven't been similar announcements from other teams.

I think the Brumbies did and I'm assuming Melbourne still has their's.

[westies man]

He got a chance in the NRC. He was good but needs to work on his defence a bit.

Yeah his timing wasn't quite right but a fair bit to do with that was over exuberance which is a good thing and can be easily fixed up.
Give the lad a go.

[shasta]

Could be a development move to expose Japanese players to Super Rugby level. The prospect of Japanese TV subscriptions may be a factor too.