Toyota Verblitz standout wing Viliame Tuidraki will make his Japan debut on Saturday evening as Eddie Jones’ Japan XV hosts the Māori All Blacks at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
RugbyJP has put together 10 facts with everything you need to know about Japan’s new man.
1. Born in Japan, raised in Fiji
Tuidraki was born in Toyota City in Aichi on 9 January 1997. The wing lived in Japan until he was five years old when he moved to Fiji and started playing rugby at the age of seven.
He went to Natabua High School from Year 9-12, then finished secondary school at Ratu Navula College.
He was also named the dux (top pupil) of the school in 2015, scoring top marks in economics, computer and accounting.
He also played for the Westfield 7s team before being called into Koli Sewabu’s Fiji U20 side in 2016.
2. Played for Fiji U20’s
Tuidraki earned a call-up to the Fiji U20 national team and played for them at the World Rugby U20 Trophy in 2016, scoring against Namibia and Uruguay as they finished third.
He then received an offer from Setsunan University in Osaka 2018.
“It was a hard decision to come here,” he told Fiji Sun in 2019.
“My family told me once I play for Japan, I can’t play for Fiji anymore so I had to think really hard about it.
“I’m really happy in Japan but Fiji will always be my home.”
3. Like father like son
Viliame’s father Patiriai Tuidraki was the first foreign player at Toyota Motor Corporation.
Lautoka native Patiriai was a winger and earned six caps for Fiji in 1994 before joining Toyota in 1995. He made his debut for Japan in 1997 and represented his adopted homeland at the 1999 World Cup in Wales.
Patiriai, who turned down a move to play Super Rugby from ACT Brumbies to stay with Toyota, scored against Wales in front of 72,500 fans and finished his career with 10 tries in 19 appearances for the Brave Blossoms before retiring in 2001.
4. Brother at Toyota
Villiame’s older brother Vatiliai Tuidraki is a professional player and also plays for Toyota. The 29-year-old centre, who has made eight League One appearances, was born in Auckland, New Zealand.
Vatiliai played rugby for One Tree Hill High School and University of Auckland and went on to captain Fijian U-20s.
He played for Gungahlin Eagles in Australia before joining Toyota in 2017.
5. First half hat-trick v Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights
Tuidraki has enjoyed the best season of his career with a return of seven tries including a memorable 36-minute hat-trick against Robbie Deans’ high-flying Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in January.
Tuidraki, who scored five tries in the 2022-2023 campaign, opened the scoring against Saitama with an impressive finish on the left flank after just two minutes.
The powerful wing fended off Japan internationals Tomoki Osada and Rikiya Matsuda to cross in the corner.
He touched down centre Siosaia Fifita’s pinpoint grubber kick for his second score and illustrated his pace before diving over for his third.
6. Played for Junior Japan
While playing for Setsunan University, he caught attention with his speed and running ability and was picked to play for Junior Japan.
He played at full-back for Junior Japan against Fiji at the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in 2019.
Tuidraki made his debut as a replacement in Junior Japan’s spirited 31-21 win over Samoa A
7. Speaks Japanese and English
He can speak both Japanese and English fluently and is set to be in demand by Japanese and international media.
8. Middle name from a Toyota rugby alumni
Tuidraki’s middle name is "Hirai" which his father gave him from former Japan international and Toyota veteran Toshihiro Hirai.
His nickname is "Tai" (Tai), which means "uncle" in Fijian.
9. Played with greats at Toyota
Tuidraki has played with All Blacks greats Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett this season along with South Africa’s back-to-back World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Japan’s new wing also has great minds of the game off the field to learn under such as World Cup-winning All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen who has been the club’s director of rugby since 2019.
Fellow former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster will join the club next season with NRL star Joseph Manu among a host of incoming players.
Tuidraki said his former Toyota teammate Willie le Roux is his favourite player because “he sees the whole field”.
10. 6ft and 99kg
Tuidraki is 6ft and 99kg. Lean, athletic and strong, Tuidraki could become a key player for Japan under Eddie Jones and will look to endear himself to Japanese fans on his debut on Saturday.
The debutant will start on the right wing against Māori All Blacks.
Follow Tuidraki on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/1up_vtui/
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