‘I can’t retire’: Takahiro Kimura, an ex-teammate of Kolbe & Cane, makes plea
From having back-to-back clubs disband to being teammates with World Cup winners Cheslin Kolbe and Sam Cane and now a free agent at 32, ex-Suntory Sungoliath scrum-half Takahiro Kimura’s career has reached a crossroads.
A former Japan u20s international, Kimura, is unwavering in his desire to continue to playing as he shows only tenacity during the most tumultuous of times.
“I can’t see myself retiring,” the Fukuoka native told RugbyJP.com.
Reinforcing his positive words, he added: “I cannot see a future in which I don’t play rugby.”
The free agent’s rugby career blossomed as a teenager, captaining the Higashi Fukuoka High School team which led to him playing for Japan’s national high school team.
Kimura joined the University of Tsukuba in 2012 and a year later, having switched positions from flanker to scrum-half, was fast-tracked into Japan’s u20s team.
He was signed by then-Top League side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi after graduating in 2016 and spent three seasons in central Honshu honing his craft alongside players such as former Australia and Samoa international Christian Leali'ifano.
After leaving Toyota, he wanted to test himself overseas and started a crowdfunding campaign to help make his goal a reality.
With the support of 108 people who made donations, Kimura set off for New Zealand and was welcomed by Hamilton Marist Rugby as an exchange student.
Training with Marist and Super Rugby’s Chiefs, he developed his understanding of a different style of rugby, diligently worked on his English language skills and gained confidence as a Japanese player playing outside his homeland.
Kimura grew on and off the field as a person and as a rugby player and was selected for Waikato’s development team.
Despite missing out on a Miter 10 Cup (NPC) appearance, he returned home to Japan reinvigorated and in December 2019 joined under-pressure Super Rugby outfit Sunwolves in 2020 as a trainee.
Kimura quickly impressed the JRFU-backed Sunwolves’ coaching regime and just four weeks later was promoted to their senior squad alongside current Japan internationals Shogo Nakano and Inoke Burua.
His Super Rugby bow came in a 43-17 loss to the star-studded Chiefs at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo. Black Rams Tokyo lock Michael Allardice, Saitama Wild Knights flanker Lachlan Boshier, Mitsubishi Dynaboars scrum-half Brad Weber, Suntory fly-half Caleb Trask and Kubota Spears full-back Shaun Stevenson were all in the Chiefs’ starting XV along with current All Blacks stars Quinn Tupaea and Damian McKenzie.
Unfortunately the Sunwolves' fate had already been sealed before Kimura joined, after the JRFU announced in March 2019 that the 2020 Super Rugby campaign would be the overmatched club’s last due to financial reasons.
Kimura, who was competing with now seasoned Japan internationals Naoto Saito and Kenta Fukuda, in additionto ex-Springboks scrum-half Rudy Paige, for Sunwolves’ number nine jersey, was handed a lifeline by his hometown Top League team Coca-Cola Red Sparks after his ambition of playing in Europe was thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A favourite with his teammates and supporters, he was named as Sunwolves’ Clubman of The Year after their final season.
Aged 27, and with a second chance to play professionally in Japan, he made seven appearances for the Red Sparks in the 2021 season before the club’s parent company Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan announced that they would be pulling out of the Top Challenge league side and discontinuing their rugby programme.
Kimura’s persistence and his reputation in the game led to him being offered a contract by heavy-hitting Japanese side Suntory whose team for the inaugural League One season in 2022 included Damian McKenzie, Wallabies internationals Sean McMahon and Samu Kerevi as well as Japan legend Yutaka Nagare and his heir apparent Saito.
“The reason I joined in the first place was because they were the first team to contact me immediately after Coca-Cola disbanded,” he told RugbyJP.com.
“I didn't think I would be able to join Suntory, and because they already had two international scrum-halves (Nagare and Saito), I was initially looking for a team somewhere other than Suntory.
“But the moment they contacted me, I couldn't stop getting excited. I thought if I can beat those two guys and get on the field, I can become a Japan international.
“A lot of things in my life have come from unexpected places — opportunities and timing that I never could have imagined. That's happened to me many times throughout my life.”
Kimura’s Suntory spell was blighted with injuries but he kept his faith in the process.
“In my first year, I fractured my left shoulder blade and tore the ACL in my left knee. In my third year, I ruptured my Achilles tendon.
“My performance was improving during my second year and the first half of my third year. I played against Honda in the third game of the season, and I was hoping to play in the next match as well, but then I ruptured my Achilles.
“During my rehabilitation, there were times when I struggled a lot when things weren't progressing as well as I wanted.
“After returning from injury, the most painful period was when I didn't have the trust of the team after joining back late. I couldn't play in practice matches or actual games. There were periods when, no matter how hard I worked or how much effort I put in, I couldn't get into the squad.
“Even during my injury, I thought I have to show my family and the fans that I'm working hard and that kept me going.
“When I couldn't play, I thought I'll do whatever I can for the team. I loved the team, so I somehow managed to keep going.
“What supported me was that I didn't want to lose to myself, as well as my own pride.”
Kimura’s positive outlook was felt by those around him, and, despite a lack of first-team opportunities, he looks back fondly on his four-year stay in Fuchu which ended in July 2025 when his contract expired.
“Without a doubt it was a meaningful experience for my life going forward,” he told RugbyJP.com.
“I was given an experience that I needed, and one that will have a positive impact on my future. I can finally acknowledge that and say it now.
“As a player, though, it was four years that were so tough, painful and difficult that I almost don't want to remember them. I suffered so many injuries that both my mind and body broke down.
“Even so, I believe everything that happened was simply an event that helped me realise something about myself. The frustration I experienced at Suntory and everything I learned there are what make me think, I really want to be on the field now. I know I can perform well.
“I believe everything has meaning. More than anything, I have nothing but gratitude towards the club for allowing me to spend four years at Japan's number one team, despite the fact that I suffered so many injuries.”
Former All Blacks captain and 2025 Rugby World Cup winners Sam Cane and Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe joined Suntory in 2023 as marquee signings and new teammates for Kimura in his penultimate season in Tokyo.
“I learned the importance of finding a balance between on and off the field, and the importance of being able to perform at 100 percent in training,” said Kimura when asked about his experience of being around two of the game’s most recognisable players from the last two World Cup tournaments.
“The top players seemed so relaxed, yet the level of their performance in training was incredibly high. It was amazing.
“Since I was a child, I've always been obsessed with training. I used to do so much extra training that people would probably think Are you really doing that much. I believed that was the way to earn a starting position.
“But at Suntory, I learned to focus first on preparing myself so that I could produce 100 percent of my performance in training. That was probably the biggest thing I learned.
“Every day was a competition to earn the right to play. I also learned how important it is to properly recover your mind and body on your days off.”
Kimura had a brief spell with ambitious Top East league side Clean Fighters Yamanashi last season and last month played for the Barbarians-style, invite-only Asia Pacific Lions team in their historic clash against Henry Pollock’s PREM Rugby champions Northampton Saints in Sri Lanka.
The globetrotting former flanker explained how that opportunity – to join the likes of former Japan international Jamie Henry, Wallabies great and former Kintetsu Liners star turned-coach Will Genia (below) as well as Fiji legends including Waisea Nayacalevu - came about and reflected on the experience.
“The Asia Pacific Lions were looking for a Japanese scrum-half and because I was without a club, I was the first person they contacted.
“What I really felt was how fortunate and proud I am to have a Japanese passport and to have been born Japanese.
“Whenever the people in Sri Lanka or my teammates heard that I was Japanese, they would smile and talk about the appeal and positive aspects of Japan.
“That made me very happy, and it made me want to achieve even more around the world as a Japanese player.
There were also a lot of Fijians on the team. I've always loved Fijians, but during this tour I really learned from their cheerful attitude and their everything will work out, let's just smile mentality.
“They were always joking around, but then they would switch completely and show 100 percent concentration and performance in training. That really impressed me.”
Despite actively pursuing a new club, Kimura has only gratitude for his journey to this point and explained his outlook on this crossroads stage of his career.
“As a player, being able to play rugby in so many different teams and places allowed me to learn about different styles of rugby and the skills required to perform at the highest level. It was a great learning experience.
“But if you're not playing, it's not fun and it doesn't have the same meaning. Even when you're part of top teams like the Sunwolves or Suntory, if you aren't playing, it's still not enjoyable.
“At the time, challenging myself in those environments was my reason for living, and I enjoyed the challenge, so I don't have a single regret.
“But now, I want to continue playing at a high level and actually be on the field regularly. That's all I want. As a person, I'm proud that I've created my own path.
“I quit my company and went overseas to challenge myself. I called the Sunwolves myself and challenged them for an opportunity. I've always created my own path.
“I've also experienced two teams being disbanded, but even when I lost my team, I never gave up and continued to challenge myself.
“I'm proud of the path I've taken. I don't have a team right now either, but I believe things will work out. I'm continuing to prepare while looking for my next team.”
Kimura wants to reignite his career at a club that is passionate about bringing him on board and outlined what he can add to a team.
“I desperately want a team that genuinely needs me,” he said.
“I'm not looking for a team that wants me because of my PR activities or influence. I want a team that believes I can make an impact on the field.
“In terms of my value and what I can offer a team, it's the influence I can have simply by being there and by being on the field.
“I can bring energy to a team. When we're losing, I can inspire the players, and when we're winning, I can calm them down. I have the leadership to move a team forward.
“In terms of my performance, I'm in the best condition of my life right now.
“Now that I'm 32, I feel that all of my experiences have allowed me to picture different situations on the field and reproduce them.
“In the Northampton Saints game last month I felt that I still have a lot to offer, and I had a very clear vision of what I could do on the field.
“I can absolutely perform for a team that believes in me without giving them any reason to regret that decision.”
Kimura, who has actively been posting his CV in player recruitment groups on Facebook, has been supporting himself financially by running coaching masterclasses across the country and is steadfast about prolonging his top-flight career.
"I've supported myself through occasional coaching with the rugby club at Kyushu Kyoritsu University and O.U.P Sports Academy, as well as speaking engagements and coaching assignments.
“There are certainly concerns about our living situation and finances, both for my family and myself. But after the Sunwolves disbanded, I didn't give up. I continued preparing and negotiating and eventually signed with a team.
“I have a confidence that is stronger than my anxiety and fear, a belief that I can do this as well as a conviction that everything will be okay and that the right opportunity will come.
“Everything in life comes down to timing.”
Finally, Kimura made a passionate plea for potential suitors as he invited offers for a return to the pro game.
“As a player, I can use my experience and my strength in defence to control games and lead the team to victory.
“As a person, through my leadership, energy and positive personality, I can make the team's unity even stronger and bring momentum and vitality to the group.
“Another part of my value is the number of fans who support me. A lot of people come to the stadium to watch and support me when I play.
“My ultimate dream is to play my final game as a professional rugby player with the stands filled with fans who have come to see me and celebrate my retirement.
“That's why I also put a lot of effort into social media.
“Giving me an opportunity doesn't just have an impact on the team. It can have an impact on the local community, the fans and many other people.
“I want to perform in a way that makes even one more child look at me and think that I'm going to work hard at rugby or that they’re going to do their best from tomorrow."
"I would like the opportunity to prove myself for one season!”
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