Issa Yamakawa: “I’m starting to embody the gritty style of play”

The sixth Mirai Match was played on March 14 at Toyota Sports Center against JTS (Japan Talent Squad), with the Mirai team winning 52–21.

JTS is a program launched by the Japan Rugby Football Union in 2024. Its aim is to accelerate the development of Japan national team players, and this year it consists of 35 players under the age of 23. Ahead of a tour to Australia in April, they have been holding training camps around the country in February and March and playing practice matches against League One teams. Their opponent for this test was the Mirai team.

JTS is coached directly by Japan national team head coach Eddie Jones. Their forward “speed” is similar to that of the national team. In the first half, Mirai struggled with the opponent’s fast movement and momentum, spending long periods in their own territory. They went into halftime trailing 14–21, but made adjustments during the break and scored consecutive tries early in the second half. The final score widened to 54–21.

Playing with commitment in both attack and defense until he was substituted in the 60th minute was Issa Yamakawa, who switched to the back row this season. In the Mirai Match he is competing with Blair Ryall for the No.8 position. This was his fourth appearance at No.8 in the Mirai Match.

“When I first switched to the back row, there were times when I didn’t know how I should move. But as I kept training, I’ve started to think about how I can create chances for myself.”

His strengths are powerful carries with a low body position and the willingness to throw himself into securing possession. He showed those qualities throughout the match.

“At the start of the season, Hime-san (Himeno) said, ‘Let’s bring back Toyota’s gritty strength once again.’ I joined the team because I like that kind of gritty play, so recently I feel like I’m finally starting to embody it.”

Head coach Steve Hansen has told him, “First focus on yourself.” The team has finally begun to regain its identity in League One as well. Without rushing, he continues to wait for opportunities in the Mirai Match.

After around the 60th minute of the second half (to be confirmed), rookie hooker Hanpei Nishino also came on. Following Taiyo Higuma and Caston Michaels two weeks earlier, he made his Verblitz debut.

“I thought about how much I could show in a short time, but with the lineout throws and the field play… I wasn’t able to show much,” he said with a disappointed expression. However, he has only been with the team for one month.

“There are still so many things to learn, like the lineout calls… It feels like I’m a first-year in high school or university again.”

Hooker is a position with many different roles. There are also things you only understand by scrummaging in real matches.

“Right now I’m still at the very bottom. From here I want to spend more time talking with the senior players about the scrum and make sure I can show what I can do in the Mirai Match.”

Six players from his University (Meiji University) were selected for JTS, and he faced several of them in this match.

“Two months ago we were fighting together in the university championship, so it was fun to talk with them about various things before the game.”

His university graduation ceremony will be the week after next. From April, life as a working professional will finally begin.