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Kazuki Himeno

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Kazuki Himeno
Himeno representing Japan during the November Internationals
Date of birth (1994-07-27) 27 July 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthNagoya, Japan
Height1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb; 17 st 0 lb)
UniversityTeikyo University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker, Lock
Current team Toyota Verblitz
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Toyota Verblitz 53 (100)
2018 Sunwolves 11 (10)
2021 Highlanders 11 (10)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Japan U20 4 (0)
2017– Japan 29 (35)
2023 Japan XV 1 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Kazuki Himeno (姫野 和樹, Himeno Kazuki, born 27 July 1994) is a Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for Japan Rugby League One club Toyota Verblitz and captains the Japan national team.[1][2]

Praised for a numerous attributes including physical ball carrying, strong defensive work and leadership abilities, Himeno represented the Brave Blossoms at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and has been highlighted as one of Japan's key players ahead of the 2023 edition in France.[3][4]

Club career

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Himeno experienced a rapid rise within the Japanese club game in 2017. Having emerged as a leading performer for Teikyo University, he was selected to captain Toyota Verblitz by coach Jake White.[5]

Himeno joined Super Rugby side The Highlanders ahead of the 2021 Super Rugby season, after previous success at the franchise for compatriot Fumiaki Tanaka.[6] His debut was delayed by a two-week quarantine period upon arrival in New Zealand, but quickly established himself as a key player in the team. According to Honey Hireme of Sky, Himeno rapidly became a fan favourite in Dunedin based on "his work-rate around the field, barn-storming runs with ball in hand, and punishing defence".[7] He was named as the Rookie of the Year for the Super Rugby Aotearoa phase of the season and remained integral as The Highlanders reached the final of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, but were beaten 23-15 by the Blues at Eden Park.[8]

Himeno reflected on his time in New Zealand as crucial for his player development ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, describing how "My body got sharper and I have more mobility. I've changed my training method and my body fat percentage has decreased. It's great to have learnt how to play the No. 7 position. It'll be a valuable option for the team too."[9]

International career

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After only 9 Top League appearances for Toyota Verblitz,[10] which included 8 starts, Himeno received his first call-up to Japan's senior squad ahead of the 2017 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[11] He made his debut against Australia in November 2017, scoring a try and impressing in defence as his side were defeated 63–30.[12]

Himeno impressed as part of the host nation's side at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Across the tournament he was the only player to gain more than 200 metres and won four penalties at the breakdown, a tournament high.[13] His defence was vital as Japan won a crucial 19–12 victory against Ireland at Shizuoka Stadium, winning a breakdown penalty on the Japanese line with 15 minutes remaining.[14]

Career statistics

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List of international tries

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Number Position Points Tries Result Opposition Venue Date Ref.
1 Lock 5 1 Lost Australia Nissan Stadium 4 November 2017 [15]
2 Number 8 5 1 Won Georgia Toyota Stadium 23 June 2018 [16]
3 Flanker 5 1 Won Fiji Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium 27 July 2019 [17]
4 Number 8 5 1 Won Samoa Toyota Stadium 5 October 2019 [18]
5 Flanker 5 1 Lost British & Irish Lions Murrayfield Stadium 26 June 2021 [19]
6 Flanker 5 1 Won Portugal Estádio Cidade 13 November 2021 [20]
7 Flanker 5 1 Lost New Zealand National Stadium 29 October 2022 [21]

as of 4 August 2023[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Kazuki Himeno ESPN Scrum Player Profile". ESPN. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Kazuki Himeno itsrugby Profile". itsrugby. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. ^ Dymock, Alan (17 June 2021). "The Rise of Kazuki Himeno". Rugby World. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Japan Stalwart Kazuki Himeno keen to eclipse 2019 Rugby World Cup success". The Japan Times. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  5. ^ Dymock, Alan (17 June 2021). "The rise of Kazuki Himeno". Rugby World. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  6. ^ Stoney, Emma (21 February 2013). "Japanese Players Open a New Frontier: Super Rugby". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  7. ^ Dymock, Alan (17 June 2021). "The rise of Kazuki Himeno". Rugby World. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Kazuki Himeno takes out Rookie of the Year title". Super Rugby. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Japan Stalwart Kazuki Himeno keen to eclipse 2019 Rugby World Cup success". The Japan Times. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Top League Profiles 2017-18: Toyota Verblitz". Japan Rugby Football Union. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Japan gamble with rookie lock against Aust". News. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  12. ^ Dymock, Alan (17 June 2021). "The rise of Kazuki Himeno". Rugby World. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  13. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/OptaJonny/status/1191383443571200001. Retrieved 2 August 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ Cantillon, Michael. "How did Japan beat Ireland in Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool A?". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  15. ^ Newman, Beth (4 November 2017). "Wallabies cruise to victory in Japan". Rugby Australia. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  16. ^ Freeman, Rich (23 June 2018). "Japan's power too much for Georgia". Kyodo News. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Japan topple defending PNC champions Fiji". World Rugby. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  18. ^ "JOYOUS SCENES AS JAPAN TAKE BONUS POINT IN THRILLING FINISH". World Rugby. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  19. ^ Calvert, Lee (26 June 2021). "British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan: Jones injured in warmup win – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Japan outlast Portugal 38-25 in memorable 1st meeting". Kyodo News. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  21. ^ "All Blacks scrape home against Japan after Retallick sees red". ESPN. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Kazuki HIMENO profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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