Rampaging Japan rugby star Kazuki Himeno yesterday pleaded to be let loose against the British and Irish Lions this weekend — just days after crossing the globe to join the team.
Loose forward Himeno caught a flight from Auckland to Edinburgh — via Singapore and London — 30 minutes after playing for the Otago Highlanders on Saturday in their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final defeat to the Auckland Blues.
He arrived more than 24 hours later — clearing coronavirus protocols — and declared himself fit to play in Japan’s historic first Test against the Lions at Murrayfield on Saturday.
“Even on such a tight schedule, if the team management trusts me, I’m ready to play,” Himeno told reporters in a conference call, one day after arriving in Edinburgh.
“Being able to wear the Japan jersey, whatever the situation, is always a great thing.”
The Lions named their squad for the game yesterday, but Japan head coach Jamie Joseph had yet to announce his.
The game will be Japan’s first Test match since their 2019 World Cup heroics on home soil, where they lost in the quarter-finals to eventual champions South Africa.
Himeno was one of Japan’s stars of the tournament, and he has made a splash since joining the Highlanders at the start of a Super Rugby season where he was named rookie of the year.
Now he believes he can enhance his reputation further by helping Japan upset the Lions.
“We’re preparing ourselves to win the game,” said the 26-year-old.
Himeno arrived in the Japan camp days after winger Kotaro Matsushima, who joined up with the team in Europe after playing for French side Clermont.
Head coach Jamie Joseph has picked a host of new faces as he works towards the 2023 World Cup, and Matsushima is keen to tap into that raw energy.
“One problem will be nerves, but at the same time, it’s a new team so there will be a lot of excitement,” he said.