Yoshitaka Yazaki

Yoshitaka Yazaki
Full nameYoshitaka Yazaki
Date of birth (2004-05-12) 12 May 2004 (age 20)
Place of birthJapan
Height180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
SchoolToin Gakuen High School
UniversityWaseda University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Current team Waseda University
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022- Waseda University ()
Correct as of 13 July 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023 Japan under-19 2 (5)
2023 Japan under-20 6 (5)
2023- Japan XV 5 (20)
2024- Japan 2 (0)
Correct as of 13 July 2024

Yoshitaka Yazaki (born 12 May 2004) is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays for Waseda University and for the Japan national team.[1]

Career

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Club

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He plays for Waseda University playing in the Japan University Rugby Championship.[2]

International

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He was named in the Japan under-19 squad for their tour of Ireland going on to score in the first test against Ireland under-19.[3][4][5] He went on to be called up to the Japan under-20 squad, making his debut against New Zealand Universities.[6] He went on to start in all of Japan under-20s games in the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.[7]

He featured in all of Japan XV games in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge, scoring a try against Manuma Samoa and Tonga A, going to score a brace against the Fiji Warriors. He played against the Māori All Blacks twice in 2024, starting at fullback in both matches he scored a penalty in the second match.[8] His impressive performances led him to being called up to the senior Japan squad by Eddie Jones.

He made his debut for the senior Japan side in their first match of 2024, starting at fullback in a 17–52 loss against England.[9][10]

Honors

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Japan XV

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References

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  1. ^ "Yoshitaka YAZAKI - Player statistics - It's rugby". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  2. ^ "矢崎由高 Player Profiles". Japan Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  3. ^ "Irish Rugby | Ireland Under-19s Lose Series Opener Against Japan". Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  4. ^ "Japan Under 19 Complete Memorable Tour of Ireland". Japan Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  5. ^ "Le groupe U19 japonais pour la tournée en Irlande". www.asierugby.com. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  6. ^ "Jpana U20 vs NZU Jpana U20 vs NZU Japan U20 vs NZU Results". Japan Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  7. ^ "Yoshitaka YAZAKI profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  8. ^ worldrugby.org. "World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  9. ^ "Jamie George: 'Tough day' planned for Japan rookie Yoshitaka Yazaki". www.rugbypass.com. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  10. ^ "England vows to go after Eddie Jones' bold new choice at Japan fullback". AP News. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-07-13.