Siosaia Fifita: “My physicality is my strength. Rather than relying on others, I want to take the initiative myself.” 

Toyota Verblitz announced the 23-player squad that will face Shizuoka Blue Revs in Round 12 of League One on March 22. The starting 15 remain unchanged from the previous match, while prop Shogo Miura, who had been sidelined due to illness, returns to the reserves.

With the previous round, matches against all 11 League One teams have been completed. From this round onward, teams will face opponents they have already played this season. First up is the Blue Revs, whom they faced on January 25 in Round 6 and lost to 19–43. It was a difficult match in which they conceded four tries in the opening 20 minutes. For that reason, their desire for revenge is strong.

“Our physicality used to be an issue, but now we’re able to approach games with strong physicality.”

According to center Siosaia Fifita, the team’s good run is due to their physical strength.

“In the past, their forwards broke our line many times, which narrowed our defensive width and led to a lot of tries conceded. Now our forwards’ physicality has improved. We want to keep this going until the end of the season.”

Fifita himself is a symbol of the team’s physicality. Two seasons ago, he played every match in full, and last season he was selected in 17 of 18 matches. This season, he has started every game and played the full 80 minutes so far. The key is recovery. He carefully takes care of his body after training and even the day after matches.

“I get massages, and after going home I sometimes go to a hot spring.”

Going to hot springs with his children is also a good way to refresh. During his time at Japan Aviation Ishikawa High School and Tenri University, he overwhelmed his peers physically, but in 2020, while playing for the Sunwolves, he learned the importance of recovery. That experience is connected to his current performance.

“My physicality is my strength. Rather than relying on others, I want to take the initiative myself.”

Another factor behind the team regaining form is the stability of their scrum. Hamdan Tuipulotu, known as “Hammy,” who joined this season and plays at number 3, has started consecutively since Round 7. Prop Shogo Miura at number 1 also acknowledges his impact, saying, “Hammy’s binding style suits Verblitz.” At 182 cm and 125 kg, his large frame plays a significant role as the anchor of the scrum.

He was originally a back-five forward in high school but switched to prop before graduation. “I started getting bigger sideways rather than vertically,” he joked. Although he joined from the Blues in Super Rugby, he initially struggled with Japan’s uniquely low scrummaging style. “It took some time to get used to the new style, but now it has expanded my range as a player.”

His older brother, Patrick, is a renowned lock with 56 caps for the All Blacks and also played for Verblitz in the 2021 season. Hammy has been pushed from behind by his brother in scrums several times. “My brother takes pride in scrummaging. He would give me feedback every time we packed down together.”

He hopes to continue starting by applying what he has learned from his brother.

The Blue Revs is also a team that emphasizes scrums and large forwards.

Fifita: “We’ve fixed the areas where we lost last time. I’m really looking forward to this week. Please watch the physical battle.”

At Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium on Sunday, it looks set to be a Tokai derby filled with intense physical clashes.