"I Have Nothing But Gratitude for Rugby"

Chihiro Matsuyama decided to hang up his jersey of his own accord after the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, having just completed his second year with Verblitz.

"I had been thinking vaguely about it during last season. Those feelings gradually started to grow, and I made the decision during the off-season. I decided that I would give absolutely everything in my final year. Rugby requires you to pursue one thing deeply and intensely. When I thought about who I wanted to be ten years from now, I realized that the time and effort I should be investing now belonged somewhere else."

He told his family of his decision during the summer, before the season had begun.

"High school, university, even getting a job—rugby has influenced every stage of my life. I've always made my own decisions, so when I told them, it was really more of a report after I'd already decided: 'I'm thinking of retiring after this season.'"

The youngest of three brothers, Matsuyama began playing rugby because of his older siblings. While his family was surprised by his decision, they understood and supported it.

The season he had committed to giving "everything" culminated in his retirement match on the 8^th of May against Mie Honda Heat in the Mirai Match.

"I couldn't really announce my retirement loudly at work, so I had only told a few people. But Mr. Tetsuro Okuno, an OB at my workplace, rallied everyone together."

Despite being played on a weekday afternoon, a large group of supporters arrived in the stands at Suzuka carrying towels printed with Matsuyama's name. His family also travelled from Osaka to attend.

"I almost cried."

His colleagues at work also supported his ambitions beyond rugby. As part of his transition after retirement, he requested a transfer to a department that would contribute to his future career development, and on the 1^st of June he moved from the Human Resources Group at Tsutsumi Plant to the Production Control Department. Since it was an internal transfer, he continues to work alongside the supervisors and colleagues who have supported him throughout his rugby career. Now, he spends his days fully immersed in his new role.

"Honestly, I still don't understand half of what's going on. The other day, during a fifteen-minute meeting, I wrote down more than ten words I didn't know. I'm thinking of making my own dictionary. My job involves going out to the production floor quite often, and I talk with people on site every day. There's something really exciting about discovering things like, 'So this is how cars are made,' or 'This is how this part is used.'"

The experience that ultimately led him to leave rugby came during his second season, when he spent time abroad with North Otago.

"It was the kindness and warmth of the people there, and then hitting the wall with the language barrier. I struggled desperately, and eventually my English improved. That experience made me question how I had been using my time up to that point. After returning from New Zealand, I completely reassessed how I spent my private time. That experience changed my way of thinking by 180 degrees."

The rugby overseas experience became a turning point for the rest of his life. One reason he requested his current department was because he envisions a future working overseas. The English study he began independently after returning from New Zealand continues to this day.

"Being overseas exposed me to different ways of thinking, different cities, and different cultures. It made me realize that there are entire worlds I had never imagined. I went there because of rugby, but I gained so much more outside of rugby itself. I can only feel gratitude toward everyone at Verblitz and the people of Oamaru who gave me that experience."

As captain of Osaka Toin High School, he helped lead the school to its first-ever National High School Championship title. At Teikyo University, he again served as captain and led the team to consecutive university championships. Having spent his life leading from the front, perhaps it was only natural that the foundation for a new dream had already taken root.

He had already shared his decision with his university teammates.

"Yabu (Kota Oyabu) reacted with, 'You're kidding, right?' and kind of avoided accepting it. Issa (Issa Yamakawa) said, 'That sounds just like you.' Juhei (Juhei Taninaka) said, 'Let's stay close even after you retire.' Their reactions were all completely different (laughs)."

Known among his teammates as an excellent cook who loves preparing meals, Matsuyama still cooks all three meals for himself. "Kitchen Chihiro" became so popular that players outside his university class also regularly visited.

"I had already moved out of the dormitory and was living alone, so that connection with teammates hasn't changed. My kitchen is bigger than the dorm kitchen, so maybe it's become an even better dining hall (laughs)."

Even though he has left the team, his Verblitz teammates still regularly visit. His current specialty and most requested dish is roast beef.

Physically, he remains in excellent condition. He still trains at the gym four times a week, but he has declined invitations to play club rugby because he has found something else he wants to pursue.

"When I was still playing, I'd go to work social gatherings and often have no idea what people were talking about. Now I understand those conversations, and my perspective has broadened. That's something I really enjoy."

People often ask whether he has any regrets about leaving rugby. His answer is immediate.

"No."

"If I hadn't played rugby, I would never have come this far. Right now, all I can say is, 'Thank you, rugby.' I was able to finish my career excited about how I can apply everything I've learned here to the next stage of my life. From now on, I'm going to discover a new world through my work."

From now on, the business world will be his new field of competition.