Kosei Miki: “Just be prepared so I’m ready whenever I’m called” 

On the 21st of March, the 7th Mirai Match was held at the Sports Center against Shizuoka Blue Revs with the Mirai team securing a 49–19 victory.

This Mirai Match against the Blue Revs has become a regular fixture on the day before League One matches. They conceded the opening score just 52 seconds in, but turned it around to 7–5 with a try and conversion in the 7th minute. However, the game then stalled for about 50 minutes, requiring patience, before they scored four consecutive tries in the final 20 minutes to claim back-to-back wins following their January 24 meeting.

After their previous win against Urayasu D-Rocks, captain Kazuki Himeno credited the victory to the Mirai team’s high-standard performance the day before, and once again, the team showed resilience over the full 80 minutes.

While the back row in League One has been performing strongly, the Mirai squad features an equally impressive lineup: starters Blair Ryall, Kosei Miki, and Issa Yamakawa, with Ryusei Koike and Jingo Murata coming on in the second half.

Miki has been playing regularly in recent Mirai Matches, and in addition to his trademark defense, he showed his presence in attack with several ball carries, maintaining a high level of performance. However, he has not been named in the League One squad since Round 8.

“When I was left out of the squad, there were times when I couldn’t switch my mindset very well. But now, I just focus on being ready whenever I’m called. When I look at myself objectively and think about what kind of player I want to become and where I want to go, it becomes clear what I need to do.”

Currently, his teammate from the same generation, Akito Okui, is delivering consistent performances.

“He has qualities I don’t have, and I have qualities he doesn’t. Right now, Akito is leading the team, but as someone in a supporting role, I just need to do what I’m supposed to do. Emotions come second. I want to keep my mentality steady and continue to grow.”

Fully prepared, he waits for the opportunity that will eventually come.

In the second half, Ryusei Koike came on as an impact player.

“I focused on whether I could bring momentum to the game as a reserve. I was focused on getting into the opponent’s goal line and scoring, and from there we were able to pick up the tempo.”

He played a key role in shifting the momentum of a tightly contested match. As for his challenge in League One, head coach Steve Hansen has emphasized consistency.

“He says I can make an impact, but I need more consistency. That’s something I’ve considered a challenge since my university days, so right now I’m focusing more on my performance than on selection.”

He continues to work steadily, facing his challenges head-on.

At the stands that day, his coworkers came to support him, holding a banner that read: “Run, Koikeru!”

“I’m usually called ‘Koike,’ but since I didn’t have a nickname at my workplace headquarters factory, they conducted a survey among thousands of people and came up with ‘Koikeru’—a play on ‘Koike’ and ‘ikeru’ (to go/possible). Apparently, it also references ‘Michael’ (laughs). When I walk around the factory, people call out ‘Koikeru,’ and I really appreciate it.”

“Michael,” of course, refers to Tokai University senior and Japan national team flanker Michael Leitch. It reflects the expectations of his coworkers.

When Koike appears in League One, that nickname may well catch on.