Twinkle-toed Sakata returns next week

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33514, 20 April 1974, Page 44

Twinkle-toed Sakata returns next week

Bp

J. K. BLOOR'S

Japan’s best - known Rugby player. Y. Sakata, will make his fifth trip to New Zealand with his country’s national side next week. The skilful and amiable htlie left wing, who appeared tor Canterbury University and Canterbury province in 1969. has been included in a team which will play 11 matches, starling at Pukekohe on Anzac Day. A brilliant, twinkle-toed attacker at his best., Sakata scored 12 tries in six matches during the first New Zealand tour bv All-Japan, in 1968. Four of these tries were scored in Japan's shock 2319 victory against the Junior Ail Balcks — a side which included P. J. Whiting. I. N

Stevens. J P. Dougan. R 1. 'Burgess. I. W Mains. M W O'Callaghan. 1. .'-I. t!ia«on and B. Holmes, and whtoh was captained, by .A. J. Gar‘diner, one oi the surprising choices as a 19,4 All Black. I’rx record During ihe 1969 season. [Sakata scored IS tris - for University in the C hr-t--church senior competition This constituted a post-war record: it was broken last season by S Cartwright (Christchurch). He also toured New ZeaHand with the Doshisha University team in 1966 and returned briefly to Christchurch last year to play for the Cantabrians against 1 A. Kirkpatrick's 1972-73 AU Blacks. : The belief that backs, are (past their best at 28 is a | contention evidently not [held in Japan. Sakata is now 31, and two other outstanding three-quarters of the 1968 New Zealand tour. A. Yokoi, the captain and centre, and T. Itoh, the right wing, are both 32. European tour All three have played regularly for Japan for eight years at least. The}' have] played prominent roles in I

. Japan's continued -.:.c< the annual Asiat t . ment, and last season t. ; England. Wales anti 1 .•.• with the Japanese team Other long-serving bets of the visiting - U be R. Imazato (half- >a Izawa (flanker) and H Ogasawara (lock). ab whom were here in ISA'> } Murata (No 8) and 1 (lock), who. at 6ft 3m, i side's tallest player Only tour members ) team are lift: half the pi.r ers are sft 7in or shorter But the side should n ' taken cheaply; in 1971 [lost to England narroviy r. [tests in Osaka and Tok), and it has learnt to ijvo with its disadvantage weight and height. Cliristrhnrch inalcli Japan will play a combined Lincoln College [Canterbury University sarin Christchurch on May ~ [Other matches will includ' five against provincial sides ione against New Zealand [Universities, and one aga:n(New Zealand Juniors. ; Mr S. Konno, who is a--familiar to New Zealand Rugby men as Sakata, wil be a joint manager of the touring side. He is chairm.it of the Japan Rugby Union