Japan

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="3fa285a1dvldtc.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Aussie Rules Global Invasion</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aussie Rules Global Invasion"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Indonesia"><U>Indonesia</U></A>   |   <B>Japan</B>   |   <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other"><U>Other</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=9.375% BGCOLOR="#CC0000" TEXT="#080000" background="3f9d4fe0dvldby.png"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Japan</I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="277" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 86 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="43a64500.png" border=0 width="100" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Japan"><U><B>International Results</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Japan"><U><B>Photo Gallery</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id124.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Japan"><U><B>History</B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U>News</U></B></I></div> <div> <I> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="717" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="711"><div> <B>The Japanese expansion</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 648 WIDTH="711"><div> Feb 15 2006</div> <div> From the Age</div> <div> Essendon playing two Japanese players in a practice match is part of a broader philosophy, reports Stephen Rielly.</div> <div> As Michito Sakaki makes his way on to North Sydney Oval on Friday evening it will be easy to dismiss his appearance as a stunt taken a little too far.</div> <div> It is one thing to offer an invitation to two Japanese players, Michito and his friend Tsuyoshi Kase, to spend a summer with Essendon but another to put one of them in a red-and-black jumper and into a practice match against the premier, Sydney, with less than six weeks to the opening of the season.</div> <div> That is until Kevin Sheedy's decision to include the most talented member of the Japanese Australian football team, the Samurai, in his squad is understood as a small part of a broader Essendon strategy.</div> <div> Behind the attention focused on Sakaki and Kase in recent months the Dons have quietly added two Japanese sponsors, Toyota and Japanese Airlines, to their stable of backers which has for 12 months included the Japanese firm Yakult.</div> <div> The club is working on the design of pages for its website which will offer content written in Japanese and is exploring the idea of printing a run of copies of its fanzine, The Bomber, for distribution in Tokyo.</div> <div> According to Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson, the Dons would like to stage an exhibition match in Japan in 2007, 20 years after playing Hawthorn in Yokohama, and will send its next group of potential team leaders to the country later this year. The first batch was sent in December 2004.</div> <div> Unlike many of Australian football's evangelical experiments of the past, though, the Dons aren't primarily interested in building a future for the code as a sport to play. Rather they see it as a sport for the Japanese to watch and, preferably, identify with all things Essendon.</div> <div> "It became clear when we went up there with our leadership group in 2004 that Japanese who had been exposed to the game were very passionate or keen about it. I think culturally they are a people who like speed, aggression and excitement in their sports and Australian football offers those things," Jackson said yesterday. "There is also the commercial side of things. We became aware well over five years ago that we needed to spend a lot more time marketing our club in Sydney because of the transformation, the corporate transformation, which now sees 60 per cent of head offices in Australia located in Sydney.</div> <div> "But equally, we're in a global market as well and a lot of the companies which operate in Australia are owned by overseas companies.</div> <div> "I think there are a lot of other Japanese brands operating in Australia that, if we indicate to them what we - that is the AFL and Essendon - can do for their business then there might be an opportunity there.</div> <div> "If you marry the commercial aspect to the potential spectator audience possibilities; that's what we're looking at."</div> <div> While playing the Australian game at anything other than a social or recreational level in Japan is a prospect with numerous impediments before it, Jackson is convinced that a sizeable television audience that is attractive to sponsors can be cultivated in much the way that NFL football has been. "The NFL experience is instructive. It's a sport that isn't played anywhere other than the US but is watched in many countries," Jackson said.</div> <div> "The Japanese could learn to love our game. I really believe that. Which is not to say they will play it on a widespread level. But if you consider that soccer in all sorts of places, Asia included, was built off the impressive spectacle that is English football, which is a fantastic spectator sport that has been very well promoted on television over a number of years, it can be done.</div> <div> "The fascination we've witnessed from Japan with Michito and Tsuyoshi has been amazing.</div> <div> "They've received coverage back in Japan that is quite extraordinary which has certainly encouraged us and them," he said.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="722" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="716"><div> <B>Experimental Bombers turning Japanese</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 563 WIDTH="716"><div> Jan 18 2006</div> <div> From the Age</div> <div> Essendon is poised to embark on another bold international experiment, with one of its Japanese visitors being considered to play for the Bendigo Bombers.</div> <div> The Bombers opened the door to Asia in their exploration for fresh talent, inviting two Japanese players to train with the club over summer. </div> <div> Michito Sakaki and Tsuyoshi Kase, both members of the Japanese national team, have impressed Essendon coaching staff since they began training in December. </div> <div> Pint-sized Sakaki has so wowed the Bombers with his skill and speed that he may be asked to play with VFL affiliate Bendigo this year. </div> <div> Kase, 23, is considered further behind in his football development, but is no athletic slouch, having recorded a 14.8 beep test -- in the range of top midfielders -- before Christmas. </div> <div> Coach Kevin Sheedy said he had been impressed with Sakaki, 22, and Kase's ability and dedication to training. </div> <div> He said he might consider playing the pair in Essendon's annual exhibition match against the Swans at North Sydney Oval next month. </div> <div> "It's not without the realms of possibility if we speak to Sydney and also the AFL," Sheedy said. "It's great for some of the countries to have the opportunity to send their kids over and learn by coming here and training and playing with AFL clubs." </div> <div> Sheedy said the Bendigo Bombers would also investigate giving Sakaki an opportunity. </div> <div> "With Bendigo, we've got to make sure that we get every kid opportunities here," Sheedy said. </div> <div> "But if some of the boys don't want it and aren't dedicated enough and this young man did, we would look at that." </div> <div> Sakaki and Kase, who have been playing Australian rules for about five years, will train with the Bombers until late February. </div> <div> There is also the option of the pair staying in Australia to play A-grade amateur football with St Bernards. </div> <div> "I'd love it if I could play AFL at the top level," Sakaki said through a translator. </div> <div> "Of course my skill level has to rise and I would like my body to bulk up a bit, too. </div> <div> "I love the pace and how quick the game is." </div> <div> It's not the first time Essendon has opened its door to players from abroad, having invited Ethiopian giant Goaner Tutlan to train with its development squad in 2004. </div> <div> Sheedy said it was just a matter of time before a player from Asia broke into the AFL. </div> <div> "Sooner or later that's going to happen," he said. "Obviously we've done quite well with the boys from Ireland, but their game is a lot closer to our game than other sports." </div> <div> The Bombers' interest in the Japanese players also stems from a desire to develop the club's branding and business opportunities in Asia. </div> <div> "If we can improve the awareness of the AFL as a sport (in Japan), we can also use it as a vehicle for business activity," Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said. </div> <div> Former Japanese national coach Troy Beard said AFL was growing in Japan, with more than 500 registered players</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="724" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="718"><div> <B>Japan Go Down in gold Medal Match</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="718"><div> May 22 2005</div> <div> The NT Indigenous Development Squad proved to strong for the Japanese national team in the Final of the Arafura Games. The two teams only played each other a couple of days earlier in which the Japanese lost by a massive 111 points, but come the final the Japanese side put in a much better effort but at the end of the day where defeated by 53 points 10.13.(73) to 3.2(20). In the Bronze medal match the Super Rules side defeated the Crocidiles by 27 points.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="723" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="717"><div> <B>Japan Shown a lesson at Arafura Games</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="717"><div> May 19 2005</div> <div> The Japanese national team has gone down to the NT Indigenous Squad 18.12.(120) to 1.3.(9), Japan who had shown great form in its two previous matches where never in the match. In the other match the NT Crocidiles had a tight 5 point win over the NT Super Rules.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="721" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="715"><div> <B>Japan Continue Winning Form</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="715"><div> May 18 2005</div> <div> The Japanese national team has continued its impressive form at the Arafura Games with a comfortable 70 point victory over the NT Super Rules team, the final score was Japan 12.10.(82) to 2.0.(12). In the other match the NT Indigenous Development Squad had another big win this time over the NT Crocidiles, the final margin was 104 points.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="721" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="715"><div> <B>Japan off to winning start at Arafura Games</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="715"><div> May 18 2005</div> <div> The Japanese national team has started 2005 in great fashion with an impressive win over the NT Crocidiles. Japan is playing at the Arafura games in preparation for the 2005 International Cup, and if this win is anything to go by they could be the big surprise come August in Melbourne. Japan ran out winners 9.7.(61) to 3.3.(21). In the other match the NT Indigenous Dev Squad gave the NT Super Rules a lesson with a 125 point victory.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="715" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="709"><div> <B>Shiba Wins Scholarship to Play in Australia</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF3333" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 294 WIDTH="709"><div> Mar 2 2005</div> <div> The Robert Walters scholarship for young Japanese players provides Japanese lads with a well rounded football education. In addition to playing a season with Box Hill North, the scholarship winner spends his time improving his English and studying for AFL qualifications in coaching and umpiring. </div> <div> This year's scholarship winner is Hiroyuki Shiba, known to most Goannas only as Shiba--his last name. Shiba is a popular fellow who works at the the Clubhouse alongside Crazy Horse (Jun Oikawa, also of Senshu Uni). Shiba has played four years with Senshu University and played for Japan in his first international at the Arafura Cup (Darwin) in 2001. Since then he has been a regular representative of the Japan Samurais and his career includes the International Cup (Melbourne) 2002, two international friendly matches at the Optus Oval against NZ and two Narita Cup campaigns. </div> <div> Shiba was recruited to footy when he arrived at Senshu University. Apparently, Yasu Tanaka (now a regular for the Goannas) was up to something quite unusual (details withheld) and this attracted Shiba's interest and it wasn't long before he was captivated by his new sport. </div> <div> Shiba is a deserving winner of the scholarship. He has devoted a great deal of time and effort to footy. On graduation from Senshu University (2004) he entered the workforce and soon discovered that Japanese work traditions would prevent him playing footy. This is a familiar story, but unlike so many other Japanese players, Shiba made a huge committment to footy, quit his job and went back to work part time at the Clubhouse. Now, as scholarship winner, Shiba will head over to Melbourne to join Box Hill North at the beginning of the VAFA season. With four months footy in the VAFA under his belt, Shiba will be hardened and ready to represent his country again in the 2005 International Cup in August. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <I><B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="718" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="712"><div> <B>Goannas Crowned Champions of Japan</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 200 ><NOBR><div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="577" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 169 WIDTH="316"><div> Nov 23 2004</div> <div> In a tight game the Tokyo Goannas made it back to back premierships when they defeated the Samurais in a close game 102 to 99.</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="299f5a30.png" border=0 width="245" height="163" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="717" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="711"><div> <B>Japanese National team on the rise</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 501 WIDTH="711"><div> Aug 24 2004</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="696" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 262 WIDTH="272"><div> The Japanese national team took part in a 6 game series from August 11 to 22, taking them from Singapoore to Victoria.</div> <div> Game 1: The Samurais outclassed a bigger, stronger opponant, the Singapore Wombats, for their first win. The final score saw the Samurai 12-10-72 outclass Singapore 4-5-34. </div> <div> Jun Oikawa (AKA 'Crazy Horse') starred up forward with 3 majors, with an even share of the goals coming from the other forwards. Coach Troy Beard praised his team's never say die effort when the game started getting physical early in the 3rd quarter. </div> <div> Game 2: An amazing performance from the Japanese Samurais saw them trounce local side Howlong on Sunday to take their second </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b29efb0.png" border=0 width="414" height="251" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> international win. Centre-half-forward Tsuyoshi Kase starred with 5 goals as the<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Samurais never looked like being beaten. Final scores Japan 16.16.112 to Howlong 5.2.32.</div> <div> Game 3: The Samurais have continued their winning run on their tour of Australia with wins against Box Hill North and Vietnam.</div> <div> The Samurais hit new heights on Tuesday night defeating Box Hill North 13.8 to 6.5. It was a clear cold night in Melbourne, but that did not stop the Samurais, who have raised the eyebrows of everyone who has seen them on tour. Shinichi Tanaka starred for Japan with 3 goals including one on the run 40 metres out on the boundary.</div> <div> Game 4: On Wednesday night the Samurais added the scalp of Vietnam to their record in a hard fought game at Elgar Park, Box Hill. The Samurais ran out 42 point winners in a tough affair.</div> <div> Game 5: The Japanese national teams 4 game winning streak was broken when the took on Ocean Grove and where defeated by 13 points.</div> <div> Game 6: In the final game of he series Japan took on New Zealand side Canterbury and where defeated by 2 points in a heartbreaker.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="718" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="712"><div> <B>University League to Start</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 310 WIDTH="712"><div> Apr 28 2004</div> <div> Riding on the wave of a successful start and a vigorous recruiting campaign, the Japan AFL is planning the introduction of a University League in 2004. </div> <div> Supported by the Tokyo Goannas, and under the control of the Japan AFL, three university teams will battle it out for the Australian Football University Championships. This League will create a base of players to contend for positions in the Japan AFL and also the Japan national team. </div> <div> With the 2005 International Cup in Australia rapidly approaching, the University Championships will become a great breeding ground for some of the rising stars of the Japan national team, The Samurais. Again, volunteers will be required to make this a success - umpires and coaches will be needed - so if you can help out please let us know. Further details about this exciting competition will be available soon. </div> <div> The Radisson Hotel Narita is now the home of Australian Football, which has allowed the Japan league to create a full year schedule and gain the recognition of the Australian Football League (AFL). The development of the Kansai league and the Tokyo league (which saw the Irish Galas and the Kansai Kangaroos join their respective competitions this year) is moving along rapidly. Sponsorship from Hardys wines has given the league a boost and other sponsorships are aggressively being sought. If you know of a sponsorship opportunity, no matter how big or small, please let us know. </div> <div> The Narita Cup is now being recognized as one of the biggest events on the Australian Football calendar outside of Australia, and preparations are well on the way to make this year's event a huge success. Put the dates in your calendars now, June 12 and 13 for the most exciting football weekend you will have in Japan. </div> <div> Aussie Rules in Japan is ALIVE! </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="717" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="711"><div> <B>Yusuke Hoshi to Play Football in Australia</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 580 WIDTH="711"><div> Mar 23 2004</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="693" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 245 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1bdfadf0.png" border=0 width="250" height="223" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="431"><div> Yusuke Hoshi is one of the most respected Samurai players: on-field for his hard uncompromising play, and off-field for his ability to understand the broader issues related to promoting football in Japan.</div> <bR> <div> From April 15, 2004, Yusuke leaves Japan to take up study at UTS (University of Technology Sydney), where he plans to complete a one year Graduate Diploma at the Karingai Campus in Sports Management. Following this Yusuke will tackle a two year Masters Degree in the same discipline.</div> <bR> <div> After graduating with his masters degree, Yusuke will return to Japan and expects to work as a sports agent. With an academic background ranging from a degree in education from Japan's prestigious Waseda University and his planned study in Australia we can expect him to rise to the top of his chosen profession as quickly as he mastered Australian Rules Football.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> During the next three years in Sydney, Yusuke will play Australian Rules Football for his University team and has made himself available to be selected for the Japan National Team for Arafura in Darwin in May 2005, and for the International Cup in Melbourne in August 2005 (Troy Beard, coach of the Japan National Team, please take note). With a year of footy in the Sydney league under his belt, Yusuke can be expected to make an important contribution to the Japanese team that will do battle for the 2005 International Cup in Melbourne against teams such as Ireland, Denmark Britain, NZ and Papua New Guinea. </div> <div> Yusuke's career in the domestic Japanese footy competition includes winning the JAFA Best and Fairest medal in 2001. Internationally, he was captain of the Japan National Team and played a pivotal role at center half forward. This experience afforded him the opportunity to meet many AFL stars such as Allan Jeans and Ron Barassi. His idol as a kid was Tony Lockett. As captain of the Japan team, Yusuke represented his country with aplomb in an interview for national TV when he responded to the interviewer's question, "So Yusuke, what do you think of Australian women?" Yusuke drew on 3 years of English study at junior high school, 3 years at high school and a further 4 years of English study at Japan's top university to respond, "Big Tits!" </div> <bR> <div> All Goannas wish Yusuke the best in Australia and we will follow his career with great interest. We expect to try and recruit him to the Goannas when he returns to Japan. Good Luck Yusuke </div> <bR> <div> Written by Gareth Jones</div> <div> <I>Vice President, Tokyo Goannas</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="711" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#CC0000 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="705"><div> <B>New Zealand teach Japan a lesson</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#FFFFFF HEIGHT= 129 WIDTH="705"><div> Aug 2003</div> <div> A New Zealand Invitational side mainly made up of young potential stars of the future have beaten a fast and fit Japanese side 17.12 (114) to 2.2 (14). "The 100 point trashing of Japan was mainly due to NZ's superior skills and system of play and was a great team effort!" according to coach Jim Lucy. </div> <bR> <div> Goalscorers for the game were: Elrick 4,O'Keefe 3, Gawn 2, Jones 2, Harvey 2, Blythe 2, Ferguson 1 and Bowden 1. </div> <bR> <div> Best players were O'Keefe, Gawn, Bowden, Thomas and McWhinnie. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>