Japan Player Biographies

Following are brief biographies of the Japan World Cup squad (ages correct at start of tournament):

SEIKI HIRAO (coach). The 36-year-old former national team stand-off is still the pin-up boy of Japanese rugby. When the Japanese Rugby Union are looking to promote games, it is Hirao's profile they use and which sets the army of female fans swooning. Hails from the ancient capital of Kyoto, he attended the prestigious Doshisha University and spent one year playing for Richmond in England. Returned to Japan to join Kobe Steel and helped the Steelers win seven consecutive national championships. Made his debut for Japan aged 19 and played in all three previous World Cups, coming out of retirement to go to South Africa in 1995. Won 35 caps before retiring as a player. Took over as national coach two years ago.

TAKAFUMI HIRAO. Fullback. Age 24, 1.82m, 85kg, Mitsubishi Motors Kyoto. Caps: Three. Impressed at Asian Games last year.

TSUTOMU MATSUDA. Fullback, Age 29. 1.80m. 83kg. Caps 32. Experienced fullback who is a force with his Toshiba team as well as his country.

DAISUKE OHATA. Winger. Age 23. 1.77m. 80kg. Caps: 15. Flying speedster who was voted most valuable player at 1999 Hong Kong Sevens and a real threat.

PATILIAI TUIDRAKI. Winger. Age 30. 1.80m, 77kg. Caps: 12. (plus six for Fiji). Strong, reliable winner who was in tears during Fijian national anthem while wearing Japan shirt in recent clash.

RYOHEI MIKI. Winger. Age 21. 1.85m. 83kg. Caps: One. Young hopeful who is a name for the future.

TERUNORI MASUHO. Winger. Age 27. 1.78m, 82kg. Caps: 36. Experienced winger with two previous World Cups under his belt.

ANDREW MCCORMICK (captain). Centre. Age 32. 1.85m. 92kg. Caps: 22. Son of former All Black Fergie. An All Black triallist himself but now firmly part of the Japan team which he has captained for the last two years. Fluent Japanese speaker.

YUKIO MOTOKI. Centre. Age 28. 1.77m. 85kg. Caps: 44 (Japan record). Veteran of 1991 and 1995 World Cups and former captain.

AKIRA YOSHIDA. Centre. Age 28. 1.80m. 84kg. Caps: 10. Another Kobe Steel man.

ATSUSHI KOGA. Centre. Age 24. 1.73m. 85kg. Uncapped. Unlikely starter but offers variety in midfield.

KEIJI HIROSE. Flyhalf. Age 26, 1.68m, 73kg. Caps: 20. Nicknamed 'Super Boots' by fans, he kicked a world record nine from nine penalties against Tonga in a Pacific Rim game this year and scored a Japanese record 34 points in the game.

KENSUKE IWABUCHI. Flyhalf/fullback. Age 23 1.78m. 79kg. Caps: 12. Backup to Hirose. Currently at Cambridge University.

GRAEME BACHOP. Scrumhalf. Age 32. 1.75m, 86kg. Caps: Five (plus 31 for New Zealand). Appearing in third World Cup after representing All Blacks in 1991 and 1995. Scored 19 tries for New Zealand before moving to Japan - ahead of his original choice of Samoa - after the last World Cup. Still a World class scrumhalf and his knowledge and experience has been hugely beneficial to his new team mates.

WATARU MURATA. Scrumhalf. Age 31. 1.73m. 74kg. Caps 23. Played in 1991 and 1995 World Cups, moving to France after last tournament. Now a back-up to Bachop.

JAMIE JOSEPH. Number eight. 1.95m. 115kg. Caps: Six (plus 20 for New Zealand). Sanix team mate of Bachop and ex-Otago University and All Blacks. A giant at the back of the scrum and so hard to stop from set plays near the line. His career took in Western Australia in 1988, Otago, NZ Colts, NZ U-21, NZ Maoris, and All Blacks from 1992 to 1995, with 20 caps. From Blenheim, NZ. Works for a sanitation company in Fukuoka, on Japan's southernmost island Kyushu. Joined squad for tour of Australia this year, and won five caps in Pac Rim and sixth against Spain in August. Came on as replacement during New Zealand's record 145-17 thrashing of Japan in 1995 World Cup.

GREG SMITH. Flanker. Age 31. 1.88m. 104kg. Caps: 14. Another New Zealander who played for Canterbury 1990-93 before joining Japan squad 1998. Gets through tremendous amount of work and was ever-present in Pac Rim championship.

YASUNORI WATANABE. flanker. Age 25. 1.92m. 105kg. Caps: 13. One of best Japanese players in squad, aggressive, mobile and regularly on scoresheet as he supports backs. National squad since 1996. Can also play lock or number eight.

HAJIME KISO. Flanker/lock. Age 20.1.95m. 96kg. Uncapped. Played for Japan at Air France Sevens in 1998, joined senior squad this year but no caps. Japan U23, Japan A.

RYUJI ISHI. Flanker. Age 29. 1.83m. 93kg. Caps: One. Injured on his debut against Spain in August, but now recovered. Joined senior squad this year.

ROBERT GORDON. Lock. Age 34. 1.93m. 105kg. Caps: 14. Played for NZ high schools in 1984 and NZ universities from 1985-87. Toured France with All Blacks in 1990. Represented Japan since 1997 Pacific Rim. Fearless, versatile forward.

NAOYA OKUBO. Lock. Age 25. 1.89m. 98kg. Caps: Five. Newcomer to squad whose form demanded he be picked ahead of other more experienced forwards.

YOSHIHIKO SAKURABA. Lock. Age 34. 1.92m. 102kg. Caps 41. Toured Wales with Japan High Schools 1984. Ex-Hosei University. National squad since 1986. Played in 1987 and 1995 World Cups.

HIROYUKI TANUMA. Lock. Age 26. 1.93m. 94kg. Caps: 22. Made his mark as a sevens player, now competing with Sakuraba for starting role alongside Gordon in second row.

SHIN HASEGAWA. Prop/hooker. Age 27. 1.80m. 100kg. Caps: 17. Ex-Chuo University, joined national squad in 1997. An ever-present in this year's Pacific Rim championship- winning team.

TOSHIKAZU NAKAMICHI. Prop. Age 28. 1.75m. 105kg. Caps: 11. Ex-Doshisha University, toured Scotland with Japan high schools in 1990. Joined national squad in 1996.

NAOTO NAKAMURA. Prop. Age 30. 1.78m. 105kg. Caps: 17. Joined squad in 1998 and ever-present in 1999 Pac Rim championship.

KOHEI OGUCHI. Prop. Age 30. 1.81m. 105kg. Caps: Four. Toured Ireland with Japan universities in 1991. Experienced back-up on the bench.

MASAHIRO KUNDA. Hooker. Age 34. 1.78m. 97kg. Caps: 41. Toured Wales with Japan high schools in 1984 and in senior squad since 1988. Played in 1995 World Cup and is an inspirational figure for his team. Had an injury-hit year but first-choice hooker.

MASAAKI SAKATA. Hooker. Age 26. 1.80m. 95kg. Caps 15. Second choice to Kunda as hooker. Played for Japan high schools in Wales in 1990, has also represented Japan under-23s, Japan universities and national team since 1994.

Reuters contributed to this report.