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The Giant Killers: The all-time Sunwolves XV that brought Super Rugby to life

By Alex McLeod
(Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images for Sunwolves)

If the COVID-19 outbreak hadn’t brought Super Rugby – and every other sporting competition worldwide – to a standstill, the Sunwolves would have got the farewell they deserved.

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This season was supposed to be their farewell tour from the southern hemisphere’s premier club competition, with SANZAAR bosses deciding to cull the Japanese side in favour of a 14-team, round-robin structure from next year onwards.

The Sunwolves had planned accordingly for 2020, scheduling one-off home fixtures across the country in places like Fukuoka and Osaka to accompany other matches they were set to host in their regular locations of Tokyo and Singapore.

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Instead, the coronavirus pandemic forced the Osaka match against the Brumbies to take place in front of a near-empty stadium in Wollongong, while the following week’s clash against the Crusaders was played in Brisbane rather than the Japanese capital.

A week after that, Super Rugby was suspended indefinitely, leaving the Sunwolves faithful without a chance to see their side in action one last time at their Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium fortress.

Those hearty few Sunwolves fans based out of Singapore were also robbed of the chance to see Naoya Okubo’s team in the flesh at all this year, with the franchise seemingly destined for the history books from here on out.

Despite winning just nine of their 68 matches since their induction into Super Rugby in 2016, the scintillating, off-the-cuff style of play with minimal star power throughout their squad made the Sunwolves everyone’s second favourite side.

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Their free-flowing attack and unrelenting ambition often yielded packed out crowds for home fixtures in Tokyo, with their impressive attendance record putting the rest of the competition to shame.

Such staunch support both within the country and abroad meant SANZAAR’s decision to axe the club so it could revert to round-robin format proved to be a wildly unpopular one, especially given Japan’s success at their own World Cup last year.

Optimists will hope this unprecedented global pandemic will force a re-think about the Sunwolves’ future in Super Rugby as organisers continue to plot a restructure to the competition with financial downfall and border restrictions set to play a key role in the decision-making process.

Murmurings persist of involvement in a potential Australasian breakaway tournament featuring the New Zealand and Australian teams, but with nothing set in stone, this remains the end of the road for the time being.

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With that in mind, it only seems right to acknowledge the best Sunwolves players who have taken to the field throughout Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina over the past five seasons.

Whether it be a homegrown Japanese star who blossomed at last year’s World Cup or an import deemed surplus to requirements overseas, many players have risen to prominence while wearing the red and white jersey, with only a select few considered worthy enough to make our all-time Sunwolves XV.

1. Keita Inagaki

As one of the original Sunwolves, Keita Inagaki also proved to be one of the longest-serving members of a team that had an extraordinarily large transfer flow of players.

After signing with the franchise in 2016, the 29-year-old stayed on through until last year, before rejoining the Panasonic Wild Knights on a full-time basis following last year’s World Cup success with Japan.

Kiwi duo Craig Millar, formerly of the Highlanders, and Pauliasi Manu, the ex-Blues and Chiefs loosehead, also shone brightly during their tenures in the No. 1 jersey.

2. Shota Horie

Another member of the inaugural 2016 squad, Shota Horie returned to Super Rugby after a two-season spell with the Melbourne Rebels between 2013 and 2014.

The 66-test Brave Blossom played an integral role from both a leadership and playing standpoint in the Sunwolves’ formative years, with his ability showcased on a global scale at the World Cup.

Georgian recruit Jaba Bregvadze also proved to be handful in the latter years of the club’s existence.

3. Ji-won Koo

Rounding out an all-Japanese front row of original Sunwolves players, Ji-won Koo caught the eye with his impressive running game during his four-season stint in Tokyo.

The South Korea-born tighthead’s performances in Super Rugby earned him an international debut for Japan at the end of 2017, with the 25-year-old going on to playing a key role in his adopted nation’s maiden run to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Is now back playing in the Top League for the Honda Heat.

4. Grant Hattingh

Jamie Joseph’s recruitment of South African lock Grant Hattingh in 2018 proved to be a masterstroke move by the one-time Super Rugby-winning coach.

Plucked from the Kubota Spears in the Top League after Super Rugby experience with the Lions and Bulls, Hattingh made a significant impact at the set piece, at the breakdown and on defence as the club finished the season with a record three wins.

The 29-year-old has since joined reigning Top League champions, the Kobelco Steelers.

5. Uwe Helu

Signing on from Yamaha Jubilo in 2017, Tongan-born lock Uwe Helu became a staple of the Sunwolves’ forward pack during his three-season spell in Super Rugby.

The 1.93m, 115kg behemoth can boast the most defenders beaten by any Sunwolves forward of all-time after breaking through 32 tackles from his 22 appearances.

The likes of Australasian trio Sam Wykes, Tom Rowe and Michael Stolberg also warrant mention for their respective efforts in the Sunwolves’ second row.

6. Willie Britz

Not normally deployed as a blindside flanker during his time with the Sunwolves, but it would be unjust if South African cult hero Willie Britz was excluded from this side.

After joining the franchise ahead of the 2017 campaign, the former Lions and Cheetahs loose forward was hard to miss with his long, curly locks as he got himself in the thick of things match after match regardless of the result.

Other candidates for this spot include New Zealand-born Japan star Hendrik Tui, former Queensland Reds enforcer Ed Quirk and South African-born Brave Blossoms flanker Wimpie van der Walt.

7. Lappies Labuschagne

Another South African-born forward to play for Japan internationally, Lappies Labuschagne hit the ground running in emphatic fashion in his first Super Rugby campaign with the Sunwolves two years ago.

The former Cheetahs and Bulls flanker’s defensive exploits were among the best in the competition in 2018, and he was rewarded with a test debut last year before going on to captain Japan to their victory over Ireland at the World Cup.

New Zealand brothers Dan and Kara Pryor were also standouts for the Sunwolves in their brief stint with the club last season.

8. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco

Possibly one of the most damaging ball-runners the Sunwolves have ever had, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco signed on with the club in 2017, but it wasn’t until last year where we saw his brutal physicality with ball in hand.

So good was the Australian-born 24-year-old that former head coach Tony Brown named him at second-five for a few matches in 2019, and he certainly didn’t look out of place in the midfield when at his barnstorming best.

Warren-Vosayaco’s selection at No. 8 is a testament to his abilities given that Japanese stars Michael Leitch and Amanaki Mafi are former Sunwolves players themselves.

9. Kaito Shigeno

The Sunwolves have been blessed with a multitude of lively halfbacks since coming to the fray in 2016, but it’s hard to look past Kaito Shigeno for a spot in this team.

An original member of the 2016 squad, Shigeno has been involved in some of the Sunwolves’ most famous victories, including their first-ever win against the Jaguares four years ago, their 48-21 upset of the Blues in 2017 and last year’s 30-15 shock win over the Chiefs.

It’s worth noting that the Sunwolves have had a raft of other talented halfbacks who were sensational during their time in Tokyo, including Fumiaki Tanaka, Yukata Nagare, Keisuke Uchida and Jamie Booth.

10. Hayden Parker

When Damian McKenzie went down with an injury that ultimately ruled him out of last year’s World Cup, there were calls from fans and pundits alike for the All Blacks to relax their selection policy to make Hayden Parker eligible for international duty.

That’s how good the former Highlanders pivot was during his two-season stay with the Sunwolves between 2018 and 2019.

Parker’s scarcely believable 71 successful kicks at goal from 72 attempts across a 12-month period will go down in Super Rugby folklore, while his 36-point showing in the Sunwolves’ 63-28 thrashing of the Reds two years ago was one for the ages.

11. Semisi Masirewa

In his two years of Super Rugby experience with the Western Force between 2016 and 2017, Semisi Masirewa hardly set the world alight, which made him an unfashionable signing when the Sunwolves picked him up ahead of the 2018 season.

However, the Fijian flyer turned the competition on its head with a series of spellbinding performances – the best of which came last season against the Waratahs in Newcastle – where he scored tries at will and looked many times better the player he was in Perth.

Masirewa’s inclusion in this side can be considered all the more impressive considering he’s kept out the blockbusting Hosea Saumaki in doing so.

12. Michael Little

How Michael Little never received a Super Rugby contract in New Zealand after being let go by the Blues in 2016 is unfathomable for many Kiwi rugby followers, and he showed why in his breakout campaign with the Sunwolves two years ago.

The Italian-born son of former All Blacks midfielder Walter Little was simply sensational with ball in hand from the Sunwolves’ midfield and wreaked havoc all season long with his slippery running ability and silky distribution skills.

How Little, who is a former Fiji U20 representative, hasn’t yet played internationally for either New Zealand, Fiji, Italy or Japan is surprising to say the least, but a player of his calibre must surely be on the radar of at least three of those nations.

13. Tim Lafaele

Little’s partner in crime throughout the 2018 campaign, Tim Lafaele has been a stalwart of the Sunwolves since his Super Rugby debut in 2016.

During his time at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, the Samoan-born, New Zealand-raised midfielder’s stocks have gone from strength to strength, and that has been recognised in the form of 23 test caps for Japan.

Lafaele has since moved on to join the Kobelco Steelers in the Top League.

14. Kenki Fukuoka

One of the stars of the World Cup, Kenki Fukuoka had already been catching the attention of Super Rugby followers since his debut campaign with the Sunwolves in 2017.

The 27-year-old exuded pace and agility from the No. 14 jersey, two attributes which combined to make for a strong nose for the tryline, which Fukuoka found five times in his 13 outings for the club.

Similarly to Fukuoka, Masirewa and Saumaki, the Sunwolves have been blessed with further standout options on the wing in the recent years, including Lomano Lemeki and Akihito Yamada.

15. Kotaro Matsushima

Like Fukuoka, South African-born speedster Kotaro Matsushima set last year’s World Cup alight with his impressive attacking skill set, which he partly honed across two seasons with the Sunwolves between 2017 and 2018.

The 39-test Brave Blossom’s acquisition came after brief spells with the Sharks and Rebels, and he remains the only Sunwolves players to average more than four defenders beaten per match.

Matsushima can also boast arguably the biggest reputation of any player in the side’s history as he prepares for a big money move to Top 14 outfit Clermont.

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J
Jon 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

This is the problem with conservative mindsets and phycology, and homogenous sports, everybody wants to be the same, use the i-win template. Athlete wise everyone has to have muscles and work at the gym to make themselves more likely to hold on that one tackle. Do those players even wonder if they are now more likely to be tackled by that player as a result of there “work”? Really though, too many questions, Jake. Is it better Jake? Yes, because you still have that rugby of ole that you talk about. Is it at the highest International level anymore? No, but you go to your club or checkout your representative side and still engage with that ‘beautiful game’. Could you also have a bit of that at the top if coaches encouraged there team to play and incentivized players like Damian McKenzie and Ange Capuozzo? Of course we could. Sadly Rugby doesn’t, or didn’t, really know what direction to go when professionalism came. Things like the state of northern pitches didn’t help. Over the last two or three decades I feel like I’ve been fortunate to have all that Jake wants. There was International quality Super Rugby to adore, then the next level below I could watch club mates, pulling 9 to 5s, take on the countries best in representative rugby. Rugby played with flair and not too much riding on the consequences. It was beautiful. That largely still exists today, but with the world of rugby not quite getting things right, the picture is now being painted in NZ that that level of rugby is not required in the “pathway” to Super Rugby or All Black rugby. You might wonder if NZR is right and the pathway shouldn’t include the ‘amateur’, but let me tell you, even though the NPC might be made up of people still having to pull 9-5s, we know these people still have dreams to get out of that, and aren’t likely to give them. They will be lost. That will put a real strain on the concept of whether “visceral thrill, derring-do and joyful abandon” type rugby will remain under the professional level here in NZ. I think at some point that can be eroded as well. If only wanting the best athlete’s at the top level wasn’t enough to lose that, shutting off the next group, or level, or rugby players from easy access to express and showcase themselves certainly will. That all comes back around to the same question of professionalism in rugby and whether it got things right, and rugby is better now. Maybe the answer is turning into a “no”?

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j
john 8 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

33 Go to comments
A
Adrian 10 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

33 Go to comments
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