Japan’s 2011 Rugby World Cup hopes dampened by Ryukoliniashi Holani injury – Rugby News
The Japanese national Rugby Union team’s 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign suffered another massive blow as their first choice number eight player, Ryukoliniashi Holani, will miss their remaining matches of the tournament because of an injury. Officials
of the Japanese teams confirmed the nonparticipation of Holani from the remainder of the matches in a statement released on Sunday, September 11.
Japan Rugby Football Union has named Toetsu Taufa as Holani’s replacement in the squad.
Holani sustained an injury to his knee during the Japan’s 2011 RWC opener against France at North Harbour Stadium, North Shore Auckland on Friday, September 10.
Holani played the full length of the match in their Friday’s 47 – 21 defeat against the Les Bleus.
Nuku'alofa born Holani is considered the best player in Japan for the number eight job. He has played an important role in the Blossoms’ recent impressive international performances particularly, during their 2011 International Rugby Board’s (IRB) Pacific
Nations tournament.
The 29-year-old Holani’s omission from the squad has dented the Japan’s 2011 RWC preparations badly. He made his international debut for the Japan against the Kazakhstan at Almaty on May 10, 2008. He so far has made 20 international appearances for the Japan,
which includes 18 starts.
Holani has also 55 points for the Japan in these matches, which comprised of his 11 impressive tries.
Earlier, during the weekend, JFRU announced the replacement of their experienced second row forward, Justin Ives, who failed to recover from his knee injury, which he sustained during the Japan’s pre world cup warm up encounter against the Italy.
Yuji Kitagawa will replace Ives in the Japan’s 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC. With the exclusion of the experienced duo of Holani and Ives, Japan’s plan to secure at least two pool matches wins now seems to be very distant.
Japan next will face the 2011 RWC hosts, All Blacks at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton on Friday, September 16.
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