One of the beauties of sport is the ability to unite as a team and secure victory regardless of a number of obstacles.
For a number of players in New Zealand, they overcome significant socio-economic barriers, of succeeding against the odds to inspire his fellow countrymen.
For the Highlanders, their diamond in the rough barely speaks English.
Fumiaki Tanaka turned heads in New Zealand and Japan when the Highlanders announced they had signed the No.9 for the 2013 Super Rugby season following a strong showing for Otago in 2012. He was the first Japanese player signed to a Super Rugby team.
Eyebrows were raised by New Zealand’s rugby academics. Could the Panasonic Wild Knights halfback make the step up from Otago, the province he signed up with in 2012? Would he even be able to compete for a spot in the matchday squad given his adopted country’s penchant for producing top-class halfbacks?
Tanaka needn’t have worried.
The 1.66m No.9 was sublime in the Highlanders’ 38-28 upset win over the Blues on Saturday. Despite a couple of wayward passes at the breakdown, Tanaka combined superbly with All Black Colin Slade to steer the backline superbly.
Such was the hosts’ dominance in the first 60 minutes that even a 10-point margin didn’t do the side justice.
The win would’ve left Highlanders fans feeling bittersweet – after all, this was supposed to be a where the Super Rugby could have a distinct blue, gold and maroon tint to it.
Regardless, Tanaka’s performances of late have shown how much he has come on since donning the Otago jersey in 2012. The speedy No.9 has added a crisper pass and greater vision to his game, something that will prove invaluable for Japan coach Eddie Jones and the speed-oriented Brave Blossoms.
Tanaka has subsequently been selected for Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup and for the two-Test series against Wales starting on Saturday.
Having fended off the challenge from New Zealand’s No.1 halfback in 2012, Aaron Smith, Tanaka is playing with a freedom oft not seen in Japanese rugby. It’s a transformation that should see him evolve from a Brave Blossom to a bold one for the rest of the Super Rugby season.
Article source: http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/england-turn-youth-take-barbarians-5447639
OPINION: Tanaka blossoming down south
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