John Kirwan wants Christian Loamanu back – Rugby news
John Kirwan the Japanese coach wants his fullback Christian Loamanu for his upcoming Rugby World Cup side, although Loamanu was awarded with a lifetime bar for drug usage. John Kirwan will officially be submitting an application to Rugby Football Union in
Japan in order to put back the Japanese winger. Loamanu was given a lifetime ban in 2009 for the usage of marijuana.
Noburo Mashimo the chairman for Japan Rugby football Union confirmed the reports regarding Kirwan’s proposal for the reinstatement of the Tongan born. Mashimo admitted that there will be hurdles in the way before it actually happens.
He said, “We will listen to his explanation about bolstering the national squad, but it will be difficult to bring him Loamanu back, especially considering how fans must feel.”
Talking about his reservations and Japan’s national image he added, “He caused a lot of trouble for everyone, and he isn't appropriate for the national team. Even if the subject comes up, it will be firmly shot down.”
Christian Loamanu is a rugby union player for Japan and plays as a winger and as a fullback too when required. He also appeared as center in his Top 14 matches for RC Toulonnais. He came to Japan before he started rugby professionally and became a member
of world’s busiest city Tokyo. He masters both English and Japanese languages because of this. Loamanu is considered to be one of the fastest and prominent runners in Japan.
He has so far earned fourteen caps and scored twenty points for his national team. The 24 year old 6ft 2in Tonga born , was selected for the national team in 2005 at the age of 18 and got the honor of playing the 2007 World Cup for Japan at the age of 20.
In the 2007 World Cup Japan broke the ice and ended their sixteen year match losing streak of thirteen games by drawing a fixture with Canada with the help Loamanu.
Loamanu was sideline while playing for Toshiba Brave Lupus a Japanese Top 14 side in 2009 after two of his dope tests turned out to be positive. Cannabis was found in quantity in his blood samples and later on he was banned by the rugby union. He was lat
playing for RC Toulonnais in France and still is able to return to Toulon.
On the other hand former All Black player and the New Zealand legend John Kirwan seems determined to bring back the player and restore his playing rights. Kirwan has predicted a good future for Japan Rugby and is hoping for at least two wins this World Cup
in New Zealand during the months of September and October. He believes they will be automatically qualifying for World Cup 2015 tournament which will be held in England.
It’s all a build up to make Japan a better side and kill their losing enzymes. Japan will be hosting the 2019 World Cup and before that happens a lot has to be done. Kirwan has been taking the right steps so far but getting Loamanu back seems really difficult
and will need more than an effort, which he might hesitate in future to provide.
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