Akihito Yamada
The Western Force has recruited Japanese international wing, Akihito Yamada for the 2015 edition of the Super Rugby competition.
The signing also coincides with the Force’s 10th season in the Southern Hemisphere tournament.
Yamada joins the Force as a concessional signing for one year, with each Australian club permitted to recruit one Japanese player in addition to their 35-man senior squad.
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The 29-year-old try-scoring wing has scored eight tries in his 10 Tests for the Brave Blossoms, since making his debut against Russia in 2013, including four in Japan’s 62-5 win over Korea in May 2014.
The dynamic wing is currently representing the Wild Knights, who currently sit atop of Japan’s Top League, where he has scored 58 tries over four seasons for the team based in Japan’s Gunma province.
Yamada, who scored 20 tries in 14 matches for the Wild Knights during the 2012 / 2013 season, will join the Force on completion of his current season in Japan.
Yamada says he is looking forward to the new opportunity that awaits him in Western Australia.
“I’m really excited to have this great opportunity to play in Super Rugby as a member of the Western Force team.
I would like to thank everyone that has supported me throughout my career and I hope to have a good season in Perth,” he said.
Western Force head coach Michael Foley says Yamada is an exciting addition to the squad.
“Aki is an attacking wing / fullback, who has demonstrated an ability to find the try line.
While he’s played international rugby for Japan, he’s keen to keep improving and has expressed a desire to challenge for a place in the match squad,” he said.
The Western Force will kick off their season against the Waratahs in Sydney on Sunday 15 February.