Tomoki Osada
Tomoki Osada (長田智希, Osada Tomoki, born 25 November 1999) is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a centre for Japan and Saitama Wild Knights in the Japan Rugby League One.[1][2]
Biography
[edit]Tomoki was born in Kyoto Prefecture. He captained Tōkai University Gyōsei High School to a national championship and secured a berth in an all-Japan schoolboy 15. He later stamped his authority playing for Waseda University, where, as a fresher, he positioned himself as a regular starter.[3]
Career
[edit]He was an integral member of the Saitama Wild Knights squad, which emerged as runners-up in the 2022–23 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1 after losing the final against Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, in a closely fought contest as it went down the wire with the final scoreline of 15 - 17, being tilted in favor of Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay.[4] He was adjudged as the rookie of the year for his notable performance in the 2022/23 Japan Rugby League One season and was also subsequently named in the league’s team of the year for the 2022/23 season.[3]
Osada was named in Japanese squad for the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, a tournament which was organised for the preparation of the Pacific nations ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[3] He made his international debut against Samoa on 22 July 2023 at the 2023 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[5][6]
He was also included in Japanese squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and his first World Cup match came against England in a Pool D clash which was played at Allianz Riviera.[7][8][9] In August 2024, he was named in the 34-member Japanese squad for the 2024 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.[10][11] Japan eventually emerged as runners-up to Fiji after losing by 41–17 in the Grand Final.[12]
He was also a member of the Saitama Wild Knights squad which emerged as runners-up in the 2023–24 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1 against Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.[13][14][15]
References
[edit]- ^ ONE, JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE. "Tomoki Osada （2022-23）". JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE OFFICIAL SITE. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "長田智希 Junior Japan Player Profiles". Japan Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ a b c "Osada Tomoki: Versatile Back Eyeing Tries at Rugby World Cup". nippon.com. 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ ONE, JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE. "SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS vs Kubota Spears Funabashi TOKYO-BAY（NTT JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE 2022-23 PLAY-OFFS TOURNAMENT：2023-05-20）". JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE OFFICIAL SITE. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Brave Blossoms to Face Samoa In Opening Pacific Nations Match". Japan Rugby (Press release). 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Former Wallaby and All Black set to debut for Manu Samoa against Japan". Planet Rugby. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Brave Blossoms 2023 World Cup Squad Announced". en.rugby-japan.jp. Rugby Japan. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Japan make four changes for England showdown in Nice". The Fiji Times. 2023-09-16. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ rugbybworldcup.com. "ENG 34-12 JPN: England top Pool D after bonus-point win over Japan ｜ Rugby World Cup 2023". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Japan Men's National Rugby Team (Brave Blossoms)". en.rugby-japan.jp. Japan Rugby Football Union. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024.
- ^ Saito, Kenjin (7 August 2024). "ラグビー日本代表、宮崎合宿及び、パシフィック・ネーションズカップのカナダ遠征メンバーを発表" [Japan Rugby Team Announces Members for Miyazaki Training Camp and Pacific Nations Cup Tour to Canada]. J Sports (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 11 August 2024.
- ^ "Pacific Nations Cup". Pacific Nations Cup. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ "Official Match Report SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS vs TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO（NTT JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE 2023-24 PLAY-OFFS：2024-05-26）". league-one.jp. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ ONE, JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE. "SAITAMA Panasonic WILD KNIGHTS vs TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS TOKYO（NTT JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE 2023-24 PLAY-OFFS：2024-05-26）". JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE OFFICIAL SITE. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ NEWS, KYODO. "Rugby: Brave Lupus upset Wild Knights in thrilling League One final". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2024-11-29.