Japan Sevens head coach Murata Wataru has announced a young and exciting squad to compete at the Hertz Sevens, round 4 of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Wellington, New Zealand.
There are three high school students and five university players in the squad, underlining the emphasis on youth.
Yoshikazu Fujita, the youngest player of the squad at 18, played full back for the Higashi Fukuoka High School team that won Japan's National High School Rugby Competition earlier in the year.
Fujita made his World Series debut in Australia's Gold Coast last November. He came off the bench in the second half against South Africa and quickly adapted to the pace and level of the Game, chasing down IRB Sevens player of the year Cecil Afrika.
With the likes of Fujita infusing the squad with a fresh optimism, Murata strongly believes that it very important for young players to be exposed to the world’s highest level as early as possible.
"It is an investment for the future," the coach explained.
The Japan Sevens will compete in the next four rounds of the World Series, in New Zealand (Wellington), USA (Las Vegas), Hong Kong and on home soil in Tokyo.
First up in Wellington, the Brave Blossoms face three tough day one pool ties against former World Series champions Samoa, hosts and reigning champions New Zealand and Scotland.
Japan Sevens squad: Siupelli Lokotui; Lote Tuqiri; Rotoahea Pohiva; Kyosuke Horie; Masakatsu Hikosaka; Ryoto Nakamura; Kazushi Hano; Syo Takenaka; Takahito Kunai; Ryota Hasegawa; Yoshikazu Fujita; Mafileo Piei
